Tom Pedulla offers five takeaways from the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, the prep race for the highly-anticipated June 8 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets at Saratoga Race Course; the Grade 2 Man o’ War Stakes and other major developments this weekend.

GETTING IT RIGHT: There were high hopes for Centennial Farms’ Antiquarian in the March 23 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, but those were short-lived. The son of Preservationist broke through the starting gate and endured a tough trip after that in finishing sixth. However, Antiquarian encountered no such issues for trainer Todd Pletcher nd regular rider John Velazquez in turning the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan into his first graded-stakes victory. He outdueled The Wine Steward by three-quarters of a length. “He did everything right [Saturday],” Pletcher said. “He was perfect in the paddock and perfect in the gate and I think that allowed him to run his race.” If Antiquarian comes out of the Peter Pan well, he will target Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.

Fierceness (Eclipse Sportswire)

LOOKING TO REBOUND: Mike Repole’s 2-year-old champion Fierceness is arguably the most unpredictable horse in racing. After a sensational performance in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance last autumn, he ran a lackluster third in the Holy Bull Stakes in his 3-year-old debut. He followed that by dominating the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa by 13 ½ lengths only to throw in a clunker when it mattered most. He weakened to be 15th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. What could possibly be next? It looks like a start in the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown. “We haven’t decided exactly what we’re going to do with everyone yet, but Fierceness has settled in well at Saratoga and appears to have come out of the Derby in good shape,” Pletcher said. “We’ll train with that [the Belmont] in mind.”

PREAKNESS BOUND: Catching Freedom became only the third of 20 Kentucky Derby starters to commit to the Preakness Stakes when trainer Brad Cox announced his decision Sunday involving the fourth-place Derby finisher. He joins victorious Mystik Dan and 17th-place Just Steel. The short turnaround to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown appears to be increasingly problematic for many trainers, including Cox. “It’s not ideal to run back in two weeks at this level, but that’s the way the schedule is,” he said. “This race provides an opportunity to be very competitive in a Grade 1. We don’t want to miss that opportunity as long as he’s doing well.”

Silver Knott (Eclipse Sportswire)

MAKING HIS MARK: Charlie Appleby, one of Europe’s premier trainers, has asserted himself in turf races in North America in recent years. The Man o’ War provides the latest example. Silver Knott emerged as a commanding 4 ½-length victor against Ohana Honor over an inner turf course labeled “good” while stablemate Nations Pride, in his first start this season, showed he may have needed a race while still finishing a solid third. The good news for fans is that both excellent turf runners are expected to remain in the United States to target races at Saratoga’s prestigious summer meet.

ROYAL ASCOT NEXT: Soldi Stable’s Gabaldon took the $120,00 Royal Palm Juvenile while D.J. Stables’ Bullet won the $120,000 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park Saturday. In capturing their respective five-furlong turf sprints, each earned an automatic berth in one of six stakes at the Royal Ascot meet that extends from June 18 to 24, in addition to $25,000 travel stipends. Mark Casse, who trains Bullet, has been to Royal Ascot before. He saddled Tepin when she defeated males in the 2016 Queen Anne Stakes. “My wife describes it the best. She said Royal Ascot is like the Kentucky Derby on steroids,” said Casse. Said Jose D’Angelo, who conditions Gabaldon: “We were looking for a horse for this race. Now, we are looking for a [top] hat.”