Peter Pan one-two Unified, Governor Malibu keeping all options on the table

Edited NYRA press release

One day removed from Unified's win in Saturday's $200,000 Peter Pan (G2) at Belmont that kept the Centennial Farms' 3-year-old undefeated, trainer Jimmy Jerkens was pleased to report the colt returned from the race in good order.

“He looked good this morning,” said Jerkens. “It was a good race, he rated kindly and the pace wasn't crazy.

“He didn't have to go to the lead. It looked like he liked having that target.

“I guess he was getting a little tired at the end, but I don't know if it was as much as getting tired or if it was him just getting out in front by himself. It looked like he spurted off again when the horse [Governor Malibu] got to his flank and that was good to see."

Now with victories spanning distances from six furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, Jerkens remained noncommittal on where the son of Candy Ride will next start. 

"I don't really know where we'll go from here, but so far so good," added Jerkens.

Trainer Christophe Clement remained in good spirits with the effort put forth by 3-year-old New York-bred Governor Malibu despite falling short to finish second by three-quarters of a length in the Peter Pan. Now with one win and a second-place finish following disqualification by stewards in the Federico Tesio S. at Laurel Park on April 9 at the 1 1/8 mile distance, Clement stated he will leave all options on the table for the son of Malibu Moon's next start. 

"He ran very well, I would have loved for him to win but he ran a good race," he said. "He came back in good order. Unified ran a 96 Beyer [95 BRIS Speed rating] which tells you Governor Malibu probably ran a 95 or 94 which would be the highest figure he's ever received so far.

“We're going to wait and see where we go next I'm not sure, but we'll see. He's going to be eligible for everything, meaning everything. The Belmont [G1], Easy Goer. We're just going to train him and let the horse tell us what's going on."

Photo courtesy NYRA/Coglianese Photography/Chelsea Durand