Five a Lucky Number for Antiquarian in Belmont Stakes
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Walter Wlodarczyk
Antiquarian after winning the Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
Trainer Ken McPeek was given a task by Lance Gasaway, one of the owners of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan . Gasaway wanted post 3 in the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
"It's a lucky number," McPeek said.
Well, mission accomplished. Mystik Dan drew post 3 for the June 8 classic. Yet Gasaway's good fortune could not match the layers included in the hopes of Centennial Farms president and co-owner Don Little Jr. for a lucky number. In looking over some of the factors surrounding his partnership's Belmont Stakes entrant, the Todd Pletcher-trained Peter Pan Stakes (G3) winner Antiquarian , one number kept popping up.
"It was Todd's fifth Peter Pan win. It would be his fifth Belmont win. Antiquarian is our fifth horse running in the Belmont and it will be my aunt's 95th birthday," Little said. "I would love to get post five."
Apparently, the racing gods were listening.
Antiquarian will break from post 5 in the Belmont.
"Unbelievable," Little said.
At 12-1 morning-line odds and all those common numbers swirling around, a $5 win bet on Antiquarian might not be a bad idea.