Think of the Peter Pan Stakes as the ultimate dress rehearsal. Historically, it’s the local prep race where horses prove they’ve got the grit for Belmont Park’s signature event, the Belmont Stakes. We often see the winner—or even the runner-up-parlay a strong showing here into a big run in early June.
For the third year running (and luckily, the last), the Peter Pan is setting up shop at Aqueduct during the “Belmont at the Big A” meet while the Belmont Stakes heads up to Saratoga.
The good news?
By this time next year, the “new” Belmont Park should be ready for us, and New York’s summer racing rhythm will finally feel like home again.
You can catch the action live this Saturday on FS2 during the “America’s Day at the Races” broadcast.
Plus see the runners in full below and also get our 1-2 Peter Pan Stakes picks below.
The Vital Peter Pan Stakes Stats and Race Details
- Venue: Aqueduct, Queens, N.Y.
- When: Saturday, May 9
- The Stakes: $200,000 Purse
- The Trip: 1 1/8 miles
- Race Card: Race 9 (Post Time: 5:11 p.m. ET)
- Legends of the Past: Arcangelo (2023), Tonalist (2014), A.P. Indy (1992), and Gallant Man (1957)
Peter Pan Stakes Field, Jockeys, Trainer and Betting Odds
1. Trendsetter (3-1)
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura | Trainer: Ben Colebrook
He’s coming off a massive performance at Keeneland, where he blew up the tote board at 32-1 in the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes.
He swept to the lead at the top of the stretch and just kept going, winning by 2 ¼ lengths.
That was only his second time navigating two turns, so expect him to hang back early and make a big late move again here.
2. Azam (10-1)
Jockey: Jose Lezcano | Trainer: Jose D’Angelo
An intriguing shipper from Florida who has hit the wire first in two of his three starts at Gulfstream.
He technically lost his debut on a DQ, but he’s fresh off a sharp win in a one-turn mile maiden.
He has enough speed to be part of the early conversation, and he’s got one of New York’s best in the irons.
3. Growth Equity (6-5)
Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Chad Brown
This colt has “class” written all over him.
After a couple of tough runner-up finishes, he finally put it all together in March with a dominant 4 ¼-length maiden win right here at Aqueduct.
His morning works have been rock solid, and he’s rightfully the one to beat for a barn that won this pot 12 months ago.
4. Bull by the Horns (8-1) (SCRATCED)
Jockey: Micah Husbands | Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
He recently found the winner’s circle on the synthetic at Turfway, and since Trendsetter (who he beat there) came back to win the Lexington, the form looked great.
However, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has indicated he’ll be withdrawn from the Peter Pan to point toward the Preakness Stakes on May 16.
5. Talk to Me Jimmy (9-5)
Jockey: Manny Franco | Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez
He looked like a world-beater when he went gate-to-wire to upset the Withers back in February.
Things went south in the Wood Memorial when he couldn’t grab the early lead and faded to eighth.
He’s going to have company up front again on Saturday, so the question is whether he can bounce back under pressure?
6. Gulfy (8-1)
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche | Trainer: Gustavo Rodriguez
It took him six tries to find the winner’s circle, but he did it in style with a 5 ½-length blowout before being claimed.
He followed that up with a gutsy head-victory at the Big A in March. He’ll definitely add some heat to the early pace, but he might find this group a bit too deep.
Peter Pan Stakes Pick – Grow Your Equity With Chad Brown Improver
The Chad Brown barn took the Peter Pan Stakes 12 months ago and are the pick to go on again.
They took the prize last year with Hill Road and can follow-up with their improver GROWTH EQUITY, who has impressed in his opening three starts.
After two silvers this Nyquist colt broke his duck in some style the last day – winning a maiden by 4 ¼-length maiden here at Aqueduct.
That track experience will be a big plus and with just three starts and now a win under his belt you feel there is a lot more under the bonnet.
While the Brown team also won the Peter Pan Stakes in 2020 with Country Grammer.
Of the rest, Lexington Stakes winner Trendsetter is respected.
But Withers hero Talk to Me Jimmy is taken to bounce back after not getting his own way in the Wood Memorial last time.
- THE PETER PAN STAKES PICK: Growth Equity
- EXACTA: 3-5
Note: All Peter Pan Stakes betting odds listed are subject to change
