Global Campaign returns a winner in Peter Pan

ELMONT, N.Y. – Plan B worked out A-okay for Global Campaign.

Unable to draw in from the also-eligible list in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile on May 4 at Churchill Downs, Global Campaign was re-routed to Saturday’s Grade 3 Peter Pan at Belmont Park.

Despite not having run since the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes 10 weeks ago, Global Campaign proved fit enough to handle 1 1/8 miles and the competition, taking the $300,000 Peter Pan by 1 1/4 lengths over late-running Sir Winston. It was 4 3/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Intrepid Heart, the even-money favorite who stumbled badly at the start and suffered his first career defeat.

Final Jeopardy finished fourth followed by Federal Case.

Global Campaign was ridden by Luis Saez, who only a week ago was disqualified from victory in the Kentucky Derby aboard Maximum Security.

Hunter Rankin, president of Sagamore Farm, which co-owns Global Campaign with WinStar Farm, said the Preakness might have been the target had Global Campaign won the Pat Day Mile.

Asked if the Belmont Stakes on June 8 might be the target after Saturday, trainer Stanley Hough said, “it’s certainly not out of the question.”

Global Campaign did have a little blood coming out of his right hind foot, the cause of which was undetermined.

Global Campaign, a son of 2007 Belmont Stakes runner-up Curlin, was trying to get on the Kentucky Derby trail when he entered the Fountain of Youth on March 2 following two earlier victories at Gulfstream Park.

Global Campaign finished fifth in the Fountain of Youth, and came out of the race with a foot injury that necessitated he get a rest. His connections chose the Pat Day Mile for his return due to the one-turn nature of the race. The Peter Pan was also a one-turn race, but at nine furlongs.

The distance “was a concern, but I did want to go one turn, so this was a good alternative.”

Global Campaign broke sharp, but Saez was able to get him behind Federal Case, the longest shot on the board at 18-1 under Javier Castellano.

Global Campaign was within 1 1/2 lengths of Federal Case through a half-mile in 46 seconds and six furlongs in 1:10.16.

Global Campaign inherited the lead at the five-sixteenths pole but had Final Jeopardy looming as a threat. Final Jeopardy didn’t go on turning for home and Global Campaign opened up a three-length advantage at the eighth pole.

Though Sir Winston, under Joel Rosario, made a late run in the stretch he never seriously threatened Global Campaign, who covered the 1 1/8 miles in a sharp 1:46.71 over a fast track. Global Campaign returned $6 as the 2-1 second choice.

“It went how we hoped,” said Hough, who last fall came out of a 6 1/2-year retirement to train for Sagamore Farm. “We didn’t want him to get in a duel, but it looked like he did it pretty comfortable.”

Saez said when Global Campaign took over from Federal Case “he was waiting a little. When I hit him, he took off again.”

Hough said Global Campaign would return to Churchill Downs to train while he and Rankin decide what to do next with him.

While Intrepid Heart was definitely compromised by his stumbling start, jockey John Velazquez said the horse acted immature during the running of the race.

“He acted very green, like he’s never run before,” Velazquez said. “He was in and out and not really doing what I wanted him to do. He ran a decent race, but I think he’s much better than that.”