We the People makes statement with authoritative Peter Pan victory
Following a disappointing result in the Arkansas Derby last month when nothing went his way, We the People had everything his own way Saturday at Belmont Park as he galloped to a 10 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, a result that likely earns him a spot in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 11.
A front-running type, We the People, under Flavien Prat, was able to get loose on the lead through splits of 23.66 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.24 for the half, and 1:11.25 over a sealed, good - bordering on muddy - track. He only widened his advantage through the final three furlongs, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.27 while being hit just once by Prat. We the People returned $7.90 as the second choice.
Golden Glider was able to get up for second by a nose over Electability, who got third by a neck over Western River, who stumbled at the start. Cooke Creek was fifth, followed by Set Sail, the 2-1 favorite who was moving when the gate opened, Complete Agenda, and State Planning.
“He’s kind of special,” trainer Rodolphe Brisset said of We the People, who is now 3 for 4. “We always liked him. The last race was one of those things, I’m still frustrated.”
In the Arkansas Derby, there was a calvary charge to the lead and Prat had no choice but to take a hold of We the People entering the first turn. The horse seemed a bit confused being behind horses and he finished seventh, 13 1/4 lengths behind Cyberknife.
“The horse took the bit, then was off the bridle, took the bit, then was off the bridle,” Brisset said. “He didn’t know what to do.”
Saturday, the plan was simple. We the People broke sharp while Set Sail, who figured to be on the lead didn’t from the rail under Joel Rosario. Prat was able to make a clear lead and though Electability was stalking him from second, Prat had plenty of horse to go when he wanted.
“Today, he broke well and got me into the race,” Prat told NYRA publicity. “I wanted a clean trip and to be in the clear and see what he could do from there. He responded really well."
Brisset said he was not worried when the track, which had been fast and harrowed early in the day, was sealed due to mid-day rain.
“To be honest, I think he can run on anything,” Brisset said.
Brisset thought the sealed, wet surface would benefit his other starter, Western River, a full-brother to 2016 Belmont Stakes winner Creator. But Western River stumbled at the break, was last early and actually did well to just miss second by a nose and a neck.
Brisset said he had several people tell him afterward Western River would have been a clear second without that stumble.
Brisset, a former assistant to Bill Mott said who is based in Kentucky, said he would leave both We the People and Western River at Belmont Park while he discusses with the owners of both horses whether or not to run in the Belmont Stakes. We the People, a son of Constitution owned by WinStar Farm and CMNWLTH and Siena Farm, is a virtual certainty to run.
“This is a chance of a lifetime,” Brisset said.