Growth Equity won the Peter Pan Stakes, but it is still unknown if he will run in the Belmont Stakes

The son of Nyquist won with authority at Aqueduct, but Chad Brown, his trainer, left it in doubt whether or not he will run at Saratoga

SOUTH OZONE PARK, United States (Special for Turf Diario).— The road to the Belmont Stakes (G1) found a new name this Saturday at Aqueduct. In a demonstration of superiority and tactical maturity, Growth Equity secured the Peter Pan Stakes (G3), ratifying Chad Brown's dominance in this competition and emerging as a major contender for the conclusion of the Triple Crown on June 6 at Saratoga.

The Klaravich Stables defender—the betting favorite with odds of 1-1—not only passed his first test against winners but did so while covering extra ground. Under the guidance of Flavien Prat, the son of Nyquist waited in fourth position while Talk to Me Jimmy (Modernist) set the pace with fractions of 23s80/100 and 48s35/100. Upon entering the final turn, Prat moved the bay to a third path to avoid traffic and, after taking the lead with a furlong to go, drew away with authority to cross the wire with a two-length advantage in a time of 1m50s25 for the 1,800 meters.

With this victory, Chad Brown achieves his fourth win in the Peter Pan (his second consecutive following the success of Hill Road—Quality Road—in 2025), joining a historic list of trainers who have used this race as a springboard toward glory in the Test of the Champions, emulating legends such as A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) or, more recently, Arcangelo (Arrogate).

Despite the victory granting Growth Equity a free entry into the Belmont Stakes (G1), Chad Brown maintained a cloak of caution regarding the jump to 2,000 meters. "He is a very athletic and well-made horse, although he is not very large. He has improved his numbers in each of his four starts, which is a pattern one always looks for," analyzed the 5-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer. However, he added: "He didn't scream to me that he desperately wants more distance after the race. I will speak with Seth Klarman before deciding if we go to the mile and a quarter of the Belmont".

Among the runners-up, Talk to Me Jimmy delivered a brave performance at the front, resisting as long as his strength allowed to follow the winner home by more than three lengths over Trendsetter (Modernist). His trainer, Rudy Rodriguez, confirmed that the Belmont Stakes remains in the plans, though he is also considering the New York Derby as an alternative.

Saturday's card in New York also had direct repercussions for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Bull by the Horns (Essential Quality), who was originally entered in the Peter Pan, was scratched by Saffie Joseph, Jr. to be redirected toward the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 16 at Laurel Park.

With the confirmed absences of Golden Tempo (Curlin) and Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), the jump of Bull by the Horns to the Maryland date adds a competitive piece to a field that, given the defection of central figures, has remained wide open for the freshest colts of the generation.

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