Haskell better fit for Timeline than Belmont Stakes

Timeline, who remained undefeated from three starts with a 3 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan, has the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 30 as his main summer target, trainer Chad Brown said Sunday morning.

Brown reiterated Sunday what he said right after the race Saturday: that Timeline does not strike him as a horse who wants to run 1 1/2 miles, the distance of the Belmont Stakes. Brown said he would likely use the Grade 3, $100,000 Pegasus on June 18 at Monmouth as a prep for the Haskell.

“Although it’s only a mile and a sixteenth, it is a chance to get him around two turns,” Brown said.

Brown did not rule out the Belmont Stakes for Peter Pan fourth-place finisher Take Your Guns. He was beaten 7 1/4 lengths and didn’t particularly do much running over the sloppy going.

“He’s a horse that’s certainly behind in his development. He’s only run three times,” Brown said. “It’s a lot to ask; with that said he’s always struck me as a horse that would run all day.”

Brian Lynch, trainer of Peter Pan runner-up Meantime, said he would also consider the Belmont Stakes for his colt, depending on how the field shapes up.

“We’ll watch what happens in the Preakness,” Lynch said. “The extra week should help if we decide to go. But he’s a horse I’d like to have around all summer.”