Adventist using Peter Pan as possible Belmont prep

ELMONT, N.Y. – Adventist, left on the outside looking in for last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, will try to earn consideration for a start in the June 11 Belmont Stakes when he runs in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan at Belmont Park.

Adventist finished third in a trio of stakes this year at Aqueduct, including the Wood Memorial on April 9. He did not have enough qualifying points to make it into the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby.

On Monday, Adventist completed preparations for the Peter Pan, working six furlongs in 1:16.30 over Belmont’s main track. Adventist worked in company outside of In Equality, who ended his work after five furlongs. Adventist got his last eighth in 12.16 seconds.

“He did it easy,” trainer Leah Gyarmati said. “I told him to just sit and finish up. We’re five days out; we’re a little close.”

Gyarmati said that Irad Ortiz Jr. would ride Adventist in the Peter Pan.

The Peter Pan, run at 1 1/8 miles, is not expected to draw a large field.

Unified, unbeaten in two starts, will attempt to stretch out in distance after impressively winning the Grade 2 Bay Shore at seven furlongs. Decorated Soldier, the winner of the Northern Spur Stakes at Oaklawn on April 16, is expected to represent trainer Todd Pletcher.

Governor Malibu, disqualified from first in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel on April 9, and Singleton, a maiden from the barn of Nick Zito, are also expected to run.

Singleton put in a sharp workout Monday over the main track, going five furlongs in 1:00.84 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.28.

Singleton, a son of Malibu Moon, finished fourth in a maiden race at Keeneland on April 16. Zito said the horse was “a nervous wreck in the paddock” and stumbled out of the starting gate.