Temperature, missed training put Weyburn out of Peter Pan

ELMONT, N.Y. – Weyburn, the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes winner, will be forced to miss Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes after developing a temperature, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Wednesday.

Jerkens said that Weyburn has been treated for the temperature but missed four days of training. Jerkens said it’s “too early to say” if that takes Weyburn out of consideration for the Belmont Stakes on June 5.

“But there’s a lot of opportunities for 3-year-olds all year,” Jerkens said. “He’s been hard to keep on the straight and narrow since I’ve had him, but when we get him over there he shows up.”

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Weyburn finished fourth, beaten three lengths in the Wood, and probably would have been the favorite in the Peter Pan.

The Peter Pan drew a field of six, led by Risk Taking, the Withers winner. Trainer Chad Brown said Risk Taking is not entirely certain to run in the Peter Pan. Brown said he also is going to consider the Preakness Stakes for Risk Taking.

Trainer Todd Pletcher entered two in the Peter Pan, the local prep for the Belmont Stakes. They are Overtook, the Withers runner-up, and Promise Keeper, a recent 5 1/2-length winner of a first-level allowance at Keeneland.

Completing the field are Wolfie’s Dynaghost, who last November won his lone start, and the maiden I Am the Law. Wolfie’s Dynaghost beat Weyburn and Preakness-bound Unbridled Honor in his race.