Nearly a year after Constitution’s brilliant colt Tiz the Law won the Belmont S. (G1), the WinStar stallion could have another starter in that Classic after Promise Keeper won Saturday’s $200,000 Peter Pan S. (G3) at Belmont Park.
Saturday’s win was Promise Keeper’s first in a graded stakes and third in five lifetime starts. He’s now earned $184,600 for the team of Woodford Thoroughbreds, WinStar Farm LLC and Rock Ridge Racing LLC.
Wolfie’s Dynaghost went to the lead out of the gate, with Promise Keeper pressing him throughout the long backstretch run. The pace was moderate, but Promise Keeper inched closer to the pacesetter on the turn and easily took command coming into the stretch. Nova Rags made a bold move for the lead on the outside, but Promise Keeper shook him off and won going away by 2 1/4-lengths in 1:50.71 for the nine furlongs on a fast track.
“I thought tactically that Luis (Saez) rode a smart race and put him into a good spot and got into a good rhythm,” said winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “When that horse came to him, he found some more and finished up well. He’s got a big bouncy, reachy stride and it seems like the further he goes, the better he gets.”
Pletcher said the Belmont S. (G1) on June 5 is a distinct possibility.
“Historically, the Peter Pan has been a good prep for the Belmont,” Pletcher added. “I’ll talk to the connections about it, but that was amongst the discussions leading into this.”
Promise Keeper is the latest of 11 graded winners for Constitution, who currently is ranked first on the 2021 Third-Crop sire list. Promise Keeper was bred by Rock Ridge and sold for $160,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
