Setting The Tone

   Robert S. Evans’ homebred Tonalist (Tapit) established himself as a major player for the GI Belmont S. with an impressive four-length tally over Commissioner (A.P. Indy) in the GII Peter Pan S. The bay, tabbed as a “TDN Rising Star”  off the heels of an impressive Gulfstream maiden score going nine furlongs Jan. 18, was backed as the 6-5 favorite after finishing second to subsequent GI Florida Derby hero Constitution (Tapit) in a loaded $75,000 optional claimer in Hallandale Feb. 22. Off a beat slow in the slop here, he tugged his way to the front to vie for command through an opening quarter in :23.79. With Joel Rosario at the controls, he enjoyed a clear lead through a quick half in :46.83, raced in the three path as they straightened for home and was geared down late in an impressive display. 
   “Obviously, he broke a tad slow so he sent him and showed more speed than expected, but he was just galloping along easily,” trainer Christophe Clement offered. “You could see he was striding very well. What impressed me was the last eighth of a mile, when he opened up again.” Tonalist was forced to bypass the GI Kentucky Derby trail due to a lung infection. “I thought he was fit [coming off the layoff],” Clement continued. “I was very worried about the wet track. I don’t breeze my horses on the wet track so that was a complete question mark. He answered that pretty nicely. This win is nice, it’s great; Mr. [Robert] Evans is very happy. Let’s see how the horse comes out of it, but of course we have to think about the Belmont S. We’re New York people and we’re at Belmont.” Rosario added, “He can go a mile and a half; I think he can run all day. He’s a big horse with a long stride, when you get him in the bridle, the more you ask, the more he’ll give.” 
Saturday, Belmont Park 
PETER PAN S.-GII, $200,000, BEL, 5-10, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:48 1/5, sy. 
1–#@TONALIST, 117, c, 3, by Tapit 
 1st Dam: Settling Mist, by Pleasant Colony 
 2nd Dam: Toll Fee, by Topsider 
 3rd Dam: Toll Booth, by Buckpasser 
   ($195,000 RNA yrl ’12 FTSAUG). O-Robert S Evans; 
   B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Christophe Clement; 
   J-Joel Rosario. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, 
   $157,000. Werk Nick Rating: A Click for the 
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 
2–Commissioner, 116, c, 3, A.P. Indy–Flaming Heart, 
   by Touch Gold. O/B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Todd 
   A Pletcher. $40,000. 
3–Irish You Well, 116, c, 3, Broken Vow–Pun, by 
   Pulpit. ($170,000 yrl ’12 KEESEP). O-Donegal 
   Racing; B-Dell Hancock & Bernie Sams (KY); T-Wayne 
   M Catalano. $20,000. 
Margins: 4, 2 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.20, 3.50, 19.00. 
Also Ran: Matterhorn, Tapicero, Our Caravan, Fabulous Kid. Click for the brisnet.com chart, the brisnet.com PPs or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.