Intrepid Heart, with Belmont Stakes pedigree, auditions in Peter Pan

ELMONT, N.Y. – Though Intrepid Heart won his debut by 7 3/4 lengths on Feb. 18, his connections did not opt for the fast track to the Kentucky Derby a la Justify, who had won his debut by 9 1/2 lengths on the same date one year prior.

What the connections of Intrepid Heart would like to have in common with Justify – last year’s Triple Crown winner – is a victory in the Belmont Stakes. To get there, Intrepid Heart must first perform well against four opponents in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.

Intrepid Heart, a son of Tapit, is a half-brother to Commissioner, a Todd Pletcher-trained son of A.P. Indy who in 2014 finished second to Tonalist in the Peter Pan and then was beaten a head – again by Tonalist – in the Belmont Stakes. Commissioner had more racing experience than Intrepid Heart, debuting at 2, while Intrepid Heart didn’t make it to the races until three months ago.

“That’s how long it took me to get him ready,” said Pletcher, who trains Intrepid Heart for Robert and Lawana Low.

Following his front-running victory at Oaklawn Park, Intrepid Heart faced winners for the first time in a first-level allowance at Keeneland going 1 1/16 miles on April 5, coming from off the pace to edge High Crime by a half-length.

“I think he’s versatile,” said Pletcher, a three-time Peter Pan winner. “He’ll do whatever you need to do with him.”

Intrepid Heart will break from the rail under John Velazquez.

Pletcher and the Lows will also send out Federal Case, who was second in the Grade 3 Hutcheson Stakes and most recently finished third in the Robert Hilton Memorial at Charles Town.

Final Jeopardy and Global Campaign look like the major threats to Intrepid Heart in the Peter Pan, run at 1 1/8 miles around one turn. Final Jeopardy, from the same connections of disqualified Kentucky Derby winner Maximum Security, won two of his first three starts, then got squeezed back early in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial. He made a bit of a run but was beaten 11 1/2 lengths by Tacitus.

“He got eliminated and came running,” said Henry Argueta, assistant to trainer Jason Servis. “We’ll give him one more chance and see what happens.”

Global Campaign won his first two starts this past winter at Gulfstream Park. He finished fifth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and came out of the race with a foot injury. Trainer Stanley Hough had him entered in the Pat Day Mile last Saturday at Churchill Downs, but the horse didn’t draw into the race from the also-eligible list.

“I like the one turn with him,” Hough said. “I don’t think fitness is too big a problem, and it should be a relatively moderate pace. He seems like he’s got pretty good endurance.”

Sir Winston, seventh in the Blue Grass last out, completes the field.

With only five horses, the Peter Pan is carded as the fourth race on the 11-race card.