Now healthy, Tonalist will start in Saturday's Peter Pan

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Christophe Clement had to surrender any Kentucky Derby aspirations he may have had with Tonalist when that 3-year-old got sick in late March, knocking him out of the Wood Memorial and any chance of qualifying for the Run for the Roses.

Back healthy again, Clement hopes Tonalist can catch the last leg of the Triple Crown, the June 7 Belmont Stakes, but must first get a good performance out of the Tapit colt in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont.

Tonalist was confirmed as a runner for the Peter Pan by Clement following a sharp five-furlong workout in 1:00.12 Sunday morning over Belmont’s main track and consultation with owner Robert Evans.

“We had a nice work yesterday at Belmont Park, Mr. Evans is very comfortable to run in the Peter Pan, let’s go,” Clement said Monday at Belmont. “Do I have him tight enough to go a mile and an eighth? We’ll find out Saturday.”

Tonalist was tight enough to win a 1 1/8-mile maiden race at Gulfstream on Jan. 18 off a two-month layoff. He then finished second in a first-level optional-claiming race behind Constitution, who came back to win the Florida Derby. Wicked Strong, fourth in that optional-claiming race, came back to win the Wood Memorial and run fourth in last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Others pointing to the Peter Pan include Risen Star runner-up Albano, Fabulous Kid, Our Caravan, Matterhorn, Tapicero, and Irish You Well. Commissioner, third in the Sunland Derby and sixth in the Arkansas Derby, and Effinex are possible.