Alternation gave his sire Distorted Humor his second stakes winner at Belmont Park in two days with a thrilling come-from-behind win in the $200,000 Peter Pan S. (G2) on May 14. And like Much Rejoicing, who won the Glia S. the previous day, the Peter Pan marked the first stakes win for 3-year-old dark bay or brown colt.
Alternation sat in mid-pack through opening fractions of 23.78, 47.14 and 1:11.90 for the first six furlongs. Ramon Dominguez, who was aboard for the first time, launched his bid near the top of the stretch, going four wide to run down favored Adios Charlie in the final strides. The official margin of victory was a head, with a final time of 1:49.53 for the 1 1/8 miles. Alternation earned a career-best 94 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.
“I was very impressed,” said Dominguez. “It was good to see that as big as he is, he’s also got tactical speed and more than one gear.”
Donnie Von Hemel, who trains the colt for Pin Oak Stable, also the colt’s breeder, said the $1 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 11 was one of several options for Alternation.
“We’ll probably go back to Arlington Park (where Von Hemel is based), but we’ll certainly keep all of our options open,” said Von Hemel.
Alternation has won four of six starts, with earnings of $215,004. The Kentucky bred is out of the Seattle Slew mare Alternate, a three-time stakes winner of $550,695. Alternate is a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year and 3-year-old champion Peaks and Valleys.
Distorted Humor is having another excellent year for WinStar Farm; he currently ranks sixth nationally in earnings, with six stakes winners, led by Machen, recent winner of the Grade 3 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs.
