STEPPENWOLFER SHARP IN FINAL WORK
Trainer Danny Peitz sent out Kentucky Derby
(G1) third-place finisher Steppenwolfer on Friday for his final
work for the $1-million Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 10, and the
Aptitude colt breezed six furlongs on the training track in an
eye-opening 1:10.36 under Herberto Castillo Jr.
“He did it in a way that left my mouth open.”
Jockey Heberto Castillo Jr. describing to the Daily Racing Form
what it was like to be aboard Kentucky Derby (G1) third-place
finisher Steppenwolfer for his blistering six-furlong breeze in
1:10.36 on Friday on the Belmont Park training track.
Peitz decided to work Steppenwolfer early due to forecasts for
heavy rain possible during the next few days. He called upon
Castillo for the drill when Jose Santos, who was aboard for
Steppenwolfer’s previous work on May 27, was unavailable after the
schedule adjustment. Peitz was not overly concerned with the fast
drill leading up to the 11⁄2-mile Belmont. Steppenwolfer, runner-up
in the Arkansas Derby (G2), galloped out seven furlongs in 1:23.60
and one mile in 1:37.60
over the training track, which was labeled as good.
“The track was obviously fast and hard with some moisture in
it,” Peitz said. “If you saw him work, he did it pretty
easily. “If we get a lot of rain tonight and tomorrow, the track
won’t be any good tomorrow or Sunday,” he continued. “I took my
chances. I figured the track was going to be better today than it
will be over the next couple of days.” Peitz, who was initially
surprised by the fast drill, was pleased to see Steppenwolfer
finish well. “His works were basically the same all spring,”
Peitz said. “He always finishes the last quarter in :23 and change
and that’s what he did today. “I think he has more speed than
what he shows in the afternoon,” Peitz said of the colt, who has
had success rallying from well off the pace.
Steppenwolfer’s sire, Aptitude, finished second to Commendable in
the 2000 Belmont Stakes, the last time neither the Kentucky Derby
nor Preakness Stakes (G1)winner competed in the race. With
Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro out with career-ending injuries
suffered in the Preakness on May 20 and the connections of
Preakness winner Bernardini opting to bypass the Belmont,
favoritism
could fall to one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s two
contenders.
Pletcher said that both Kentucky Derby runner-up Bluegrass Cat and
Peter Pan Stakes (G2) winner Sunriver were slated to breeze on
Sunday, weather permitting. Santa Catalina Stakes (G2) runnerup
Sacred Light, who arrived from California on Tuesday, jogged once
around the Belmont main track on Friday under exercise rider Martin
De Rubin. The Holy Bull colt is scheduled to breeze Sunday or
Monday after trainer David Hofmans arrives. Tampa Bay Derby
(G3) winner Deputy Glitters galloped one mile Friday morning and is
slated to breeze on Sunday.
Steppenwolfer has carried his trainer, Danny Peitz, to some new
heights over the last few months with his second-place finish in
the Arkansas Derby (G2) and third-place finish in the Kentucky
Derby (G1).
In Saturday's $1-million Belmont Stakes (G1), the Aptitude colt
could pull his trainer out of a long stakes drought. Peitz's most
recent stakes victory came in the 2003 Possible Mate Stakes at
Belmont Park with Primetimevalentine.
Steppenwolfer placed in three consecutive stakes at Oaklawn Park
before finishing 8½ lengths behind Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby.
With Barbaro and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Bernardini both
absent from the Belmont, Steppenwolfer could provide his trainer
with a huge breakthrough in the Belmont.
"It would be great to win one of the classic races," said Peitz,
who currently has 14 horses in his barn at Belmont. "I was working
for Joe Cantey as a groom when we won the Belmont with Temperance
Hill in 1980. And the only other trainer I ever worked for was with
a guy by the name of Paul Adwell and he won the Preakness [Stakes
(G1)] in '76 with Elocutionist. So both of the guys I worked for in
the past—the only two trainers I worked for before I went out on my
own—both won legs of the Triple Crown. And I'd like to think I have
a shot to win one of those races too."
Peitz, who took out his first trainer's license in 1987, has
graciously accepted his first stint in the national spotlight that
inevitably comes with running a horse in the Triple Crown. Peitz
was scheduled to attend a luncheon in downtown Manhattan on Tuesday
for media covering the Triple Crown. Later in the week, Peitz will
appear on a popular New York sports radio program to discuss the
Belmont.
Steppenwolfer is one of five horses Peitz trains for Robert and
Lawana Low. The Lows own Prime Inc., a refrigerated trucking
carrier. Peitz met the Lows in the early 1990s through his brother.
"My brother Alan worked for them in Springfield, Missouri, at their
place of business, Prime Inc.," Peitz said. "He had some win
pictures in his work area. They were big into racing and thinking
of getting into the game, so through my brother they contacted me
for some advice on getting in. I want to say that was the fall of
1993 and we went to the sales in '94."
Peitz trained 2002 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) winner Green
Fee for the Lows. The homebred Green Dancer horse finished fifth in
the 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) at Arlington Park.
Peitz, who also trained 1996 Test Stakes (G1) winner Capote Belle,
feels Steppenwolfer is ideally suited to the Belmont.
"It's my home track, and we thought all along that the distance of
the Belmont would hit him right in the head," Peitz said. "He's
done very well since the Derby, so we're excited right now."—Jeff
Lowe
Date:
08 June 2006