Race Recaps Blended Citizen Closes Late, Takes G3 Peter Pan May 12, 2018 Race Recaps Blended Citizen Closes Late, Takes G3 Peter Pan May 12, 2018 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ELMONT, NY – Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing’s Blended Citizen stamped himself a legitimate contender for the upcoming Belmont Stakes on Saturday after closing late to win that race’s local prep, the Grade 3, $350,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park. Breaking a bit slowly from post 4 under Kyle Frey, Blended Citizen found himself near the rear early while Just Whistle and the favored Core Beliefs pushed each other through fractions of :23.92, :47.07, 1:11.41, and 1:36.48 for the opening mile. Running four-wide off of the far turn, and down the stretch, Blended Citizen had to put forth every bit of effort down the stretch in order to wrangle a loose-on-the-lead Core Beliefs. With a furlong to go, Core Beliefs shied out from the rail and saw Blended Citizen rapidly making ground. Continuing to drive steadily through to the wire, Blended Citizen crossed in first by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:49.75 for the 9-furlong main track event. Core Beliefs was much the best of the rest, taking second by 4 lengths over Just Whistle. High North had joined the winner in his bid off of the far turn but couldn’t match strides and never improved beyond his fourth-place finish. Zing Zang crossed ahead of Gotta Go to complete the order of finish. Diamond King scratched in favor of running in next week’s Preakness Stakes. Transistor was also scratched. Blended Citizen’s win was his second graded stakes score following a narrow triumph in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in March. After he finished fifth last out in the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes, Blended Citizen remained short on points needed to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Doug O’Neill shipped him to Churchill Downs, hoping that another horse would scratch from the starting lineup and allow Blended Citizen to take its place, but it wasn’t meant to be. O’Neill knew that the 3-year-old son of Proud Citizen was ready to fire a big race and chose to unleash him in the Peter Pan to determine if he would enter the Belmont Stakes. It’s safe to say that he passed the test. “We led him over here with a lot of confidence,” said Jack Sisterson, assistant to O’Neill. “He’s such a big horse with such a big stride. We thought if he’s going to love any track in America, it’s going to be Belmont Park, so we weren’t surprised with the result today.” Blended Citizen returned $11.40 to win, $4.40 to place, and $2.60 to show. Core Beliefs brought back $3.60 to place and $2.50 to show, while Just Whistle paid $2.50 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More