Western River points to Peter Pan after strong maiden win

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Western River, who is a full brother to 2016 Belmont Stakes winner Creator, could make his next start in the Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan on May 14 at Belmont Park, trainer Rodolphe Brisset said Sunday.

Western River was an impressive maiden special weight winner on the Arkansas Derby undercard last Saturday, when he closed from nearly 20 lengths off the pace for a 3 3/4-length victory. Western River covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.59 and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 87.

“He ran huge,” Brisset said. “The plan is to point him for the Peter Pan, and he’s been added to the Keeneland sale on closing day. We’re going to play all our options. That was a fun win. That was really fun.”

Brisset and his wife, Brooke Baker, are co-owners of Western River.

“My wife picked him out,” Brisset said. “My wife saw him in the back ring at Keeneland. She said, ‘I like that horse.’ ”

The name Western River honors Baker’s father, of West River, Md.

“We tried to name the horse West River, but the name was taken,” Brisset said.

Ricardo Santana Jr., who rode Creator when he won the Arkansas Derby, was aboard Western River on Saturday.

◗ The Arkansas Racing Commission will meet Saturday at Oaklawn to discuss the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Authority, according to the agenda. Those set to speak are Bill Walmsley of the Arkansas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Skip Ebel of Oaklawn.