Lonesome Boy #3 ridden by Adam Bowman wins the $75,000 City of Brotherly Love Stakes on March 5, 2024 at Parx. (Nikki Sherman/EQUI-PHOTO)
NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – John E. Parker’s stakes-winner Lonesome Boy, who kept on for fourth-place after dueling on the front end of the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino here on April 6, will likely contest Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan, a nine-furlong test for sophomores, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trainer Hugo Padilla said the Washington-bred Nationhood bay is probable for the Peter Pan after posting his first workout since the Wood on Wednesday, completing five-furlongs in 1:03.09 handily at Parx Racing. Monmouth Park’s one mile and 70 yard Long Branch on May 11 is also under consideration.
“The [Peter Pan] is what we are planning. He gave us a very, very good workout Wednesday. We’re very happy with the way he came back and how he is doing,” said Padilla. “The owner really wants to give this horse a name, so I think we’re going to the Peter Pan.”
Padilla said the work checked all the boxes after Lonesome Boy showed he was already in good fitness at the nine-furlong distance when battling on for fourth in the Wood after fast early splits of 23.45 seconds, 47.49 and 1:12.35 in the field of Grade 1 Kentucky Derby-hopefuls.
“It [the workout] was to open up his lungs, stretch his legs, make sure he is on point. I’m very happy with the work and the way he did everything,” said Padilla. “It was by himself, believe me, if we put him with company, he would break the clock.
“Everybody who was on the pace with him [in the Wood] dropped back turning for home,” added Padilla. “He just kept on going. The better horse [Resilience] won the race, and the horses with a little more energy passed us, but we are hoping this time if the pace is a little slower, he can finish stronger.”
The effort was awarded a career-best 79 Beyer Speed Figure, improving upon a 78 earned when drawing off by 6 3/4-lengths to capture the one mile and 70 yard City of Brotherly Love on March 5 at Parx.
Padilla confirmed that Adam Bowman, who has piloted Lonesome Boy in 10-of-11 lifetime starts and all of the wins in his 11-3-2-2 record, including a local seven-furlong optional claim in January, will retain the mount.
