Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from the weekend as probable starters for Saturday’s $2 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets produced their final workouts ahead of the 1 ¼-mile contest at Saratoga Race Course. He also looks at the Grade 3 Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs, a prep for the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes June 29, and the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

DOUBLE THREAT: Ken McPeek became the first trainer since 1952 to sweep the Longines Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby thanks to Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan, respectively. Now, he is expected to take aim at two more big races with Thorpedo Anna the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the DK Horse Acorn Stakes Friday and Mystik Dan on target for the Belmont Stakes, both at Saratoga Race Course. They each worked Saturday on Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track. Thorpedo Anna coasted through five furlongs in 1:02.09 in what McPeek described as “a nice stretch-out.” Mystik Dan, working in company, traveled the same distance in 1:01.59. “He’s doing great. He does things easy,” his trainer said. “The gallop out was impressive.”

Sierra Leone, inside, worked for the Belmont Stakes. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)

EQUIPMENT CHANGE: Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone has been equipped with a new bit — a stainless steel, rubber, or aluminum bar attached to the bridle that is one of the means by which a jockey exerts guidance and control — in an effort to make him handier for new rider Flavien Prat in the Belmont Stakes. He worked a half-mile in :49.32 in company with stablemate Domestic Product Saturday at the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. Trainer Chad Brown was encouraged by what he saw. “He’s accepted the bit and he traveled well into the bridle. That’s all I’m really looking for,” Brown said. “It’s not a severe or drastic change. It’s getting more attention because he lost the Derby and lugged in a bit. It’s a natural and normal equipment change for a horse that might be having some steering issues.”

THREE SHOTS: Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will take three shots at his fifth Belmont Stakes victory when he saddles Peter Pan Stakes winner Antiquarian, 2-for-2 Maryland-bred Mindframe and Protective, winless through four starts but third in the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino. All worked a half-mile in company Saturday on the Oklahoma training track. Antiquarian was timed in :49.99. Mindframe drilled with Protective. Each was clocked in 50.26. Pletcher was particularly encouraged by Antiquarian, a Preservationist colt who runs on behalf of Centennial Farms. “I really liked the way he galloped out,” he said. “I’m excited about giving him an opportunity to run a mile and a quarter.”

ON THE RISE: Trainer Brad Cox called it a “breakthrough performance” after Godolphin homebred Highland Falls notched his first graded stakes win in the Blame Stakes. The 4-year-old Curlin colt edged Cagliostro by one length with Florent Geroux aboard. He was timed in 1:48.51 for the mile and an eighth, the fastest clocking since the race was established five years ago. “He needed to win a race like this and I think it can really kickstart his campaign,” Cox said. “He’s regally bred and can run all day long. A mile-and-a-quarter race down the road shouldn’t be a problem for him.”

HAPPY HE’S BACK: Happy Jack served notice that he can be a major player in the sprint division with a commanding performance in the seven-furlong Triple Bend. He easily dispatched Dr. Venkman by 4 ½ lengths in his second start back from a layoff of almost 10 months. The 5-year-old son of 2013 Preakness winner Oxbow took early command for jockey Edwin Maldonado and extended his advantage in completing the seven furlongs in 1:21.32. “He is a one-turn, top-notch dirt horse,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “We are very excited.”