Peter Pan will share stage with Schuylerville on opening day

ELMONT, N.Y. – Among the many new looks at Saratoga this summer will be the co-feature on Thursday’s opening-day program, the Grade 3, $100,000 Peter Pan Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles.

Typically run in May as a prep for the Belmont Stakes, the Peter Pan was moved to this spot for horsemen to consider using as a prep for the Runhappy Travers on Aug. 8 or, perhaps as a stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5. The Peter Pan offers 85 points (50-20-10-5) to its top four finishers toward the Derby.

As of Wednesday, the field was expected to include Candy Tycoon, runner-up to Ete Indien in the Fountain of Youth; Caracaro, a six-length maiden winner at Gulfstream in January; Celtic Striker, winner of the two-horse Easy Goer Stakes; Country Grammer, fifth in the Fountain of Youth; Modernist, winner of the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds; and Mystic Guide, runner-up to Tap It to Win in a swiftly run allowance here June 4.

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Money Moves, winner of both of his starts at Gulfstream for trainer Todd Pletcher, also is possible.

The Peter Pan will share billing with the Grade 3, $100,000 Schuylerville Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, the traditional opening-day feature.

Beautiful Memories, a 10-length debut winner May 28 at Churchill heads a field that is expected to include Dayoutoftheoffice, Hara, Miss Stella, Moochie, Queen Arella, Quinoa Tifah, Thoughtfully, and possibly Sunny Isle Beach and Xtrema.

Entries for Saratoga’s opening-day card will be taken Saturday.