After a 12-hour trans-Pacific journey, including a one-hour lay-over in Anchorage, Alaska, and a brief stint at Aqueduct to clear quarantine, Casino Drive, Champagne Squall (IRE), and Spark Candle have at last begun to settle into Barn 17 at Belmont Park.

Arriving at Belmont at 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon, the horses had the night to rest before hitting the muddy main track for a morning canter Friday. Nobutaka Tada, managing director of Globe Equine Management Ltd., said that all three horses have acclimated well and went nicely.

After a long cool-down tour throughout the barn area of Belmont Park, the three returned in prime shape and looked unfazed by their lengthy journey. The chestnut colt Spark Candle, by 1992 Belmont Stakes winner and Horse of the Year A.P. Indy, who was bought for $1.5 million at the 2006 Keeneland September Sale, led the trio out of the cool morning mist, followed closely by Casino Drive and the Irish-bred gray, Champagne Squall.

Champagne Squall (IRE)	Spark Candle

Tada has confirmed that the three will return to the track to work the morning of Wednesday, May 7, as they aim for the 55th running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes.

Although Spark Candle finished 12th in his only start on the dirt, Tada said he was not concerned about him running on the dirt here at Belmont Park.

“It was not his day,” said Tada of that lone dirt star. “[It] was not because of the surface. We have to try; we think he is a good horse.”

Yet to break his maiden, Champagne Squall’s appearance in the Peter Pan is still in question.

“We will see how he behaves,” said Tada. “He has the ability and we will see.”

Champagne Squall’s three previous attempts to break his maiden have been at a distances beyond 10 furlongs, and it is hoped shortening up might do the trick.

The Peter Pan will be Casino Drive’s second lifetime start, having broken his maiden in Japan by nearly 12 lengths going nine furlongs, and will serve as a prep for the $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7. Plans for the other two are still up in the air.

“Casino Drive will run the Belmont,” Tada said. “We’ll see how Spark Candle runs and Champagne Squall, we’ll have to see what we can do with him.”

Casino Drive will look to make history in the 140th running of the Belmont as he tries to follow in the footsteps of his half-brother Jazil, the 2006 Belmont Stakes winner, and his three-quarter sister, 2007 Belmont winner Rags to Riches, one of only three fillies and the first in 102 years to win the race. The three share the same dam, Better Than Honour.

“We need one more race at least… he needs experience,” said Tada, regarding the Casino Drive’s preparation for the “Test of the Champion.”

Tada and his team have not raced in New York since one of his mares made an appearance on Aqueduct’s inner track in 1995. The colts’ owner, Hidetoshi Yamamoto, a Japanese business executive, will not be at the Peter Pan but is expected to fly into New York for Casino Drive’s attempt in the Belmont Stakes.

The Peter Pan has always provided New York racing fans with a chance to see horses that may not have been quite ready for the Kentucky Derby but were heading in the right direction. Past winners include Gallant Man (1957), Coastal (1979), Slew o’Gold (1983), Proud Truth (1985), Danzig Connection (1986), and A. P. Indy (1992).

As mentioned above, the Peter Pan is being used as a springboard to the Belmont Stakes for Casino Drive and Spark Candle – and the connection between the horses and the races grows stronger.

In 2006, Jazil won the Belmont Stakes for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Jazil is a son of Seeking the Gold, winner of the 1988 Peter Pan, and the Deputy Minister mare, Better Than Honour. One year later, Rags to Riches became one of only three fillies and the first in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes. Her dam is also Better Than Honour, and her sire is A.P. Indy, who won the 1992 Peter Pan, Belmont Stakes and Horse of the Year.

Casino Drive is another son of Better Than Honour, and his sire is 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft, a son of A.P. Indy. Oh, by the way, A.P. Indy is a son of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

According to Andrew Byrnes, New York Racing Association Stakes Coordinator, here are the other horses likely to challenge in the Peter Pan:

Cosmic: A son of El Prado out of Eclipse winner Heavenly Prize, who is a daughter of Seeking the Gold. He is on a two-race winning streak for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, who won the Peter Pan in 1988 with Seeking the Gold and last year with Sightseeing.

Deputyville: Recent acquisition for trainer Gary Contessa, he is a son of Deputy Warlock, by Silver Deputy.

Golden Spikes: Runner-up in the Grade 2 Illinois Derby, he is by Seeking the Gold out of the A.P. Indy mare A.P. Interest. Marty Wolfson is the trainer.

Ready’s Echo: A son of More Than Ready, he has two seconds and a win in three career tries for trainer Todd Pletcher, who won the 2004 Peter Pan with Purge.

Tomcito: Third in the Florida Derby behind Big Brown and Smooth Air, he then ran sixth in Keeneland’s Grade 2 Lexington. He is trained by Dante Zanelli Jr.

Questionable for the Peter Pan are Fast Talking, Mint Lake and Monarch’s Mystery.

Also on Saturday will be the 33rd running of the Grade 3, $100,000-added Bold Ruler Handicap for three-year-olds and up at six furlongs.

Likely starters are Callmetony, Council Member, Executive Fleet, Lucky Island (ARG) and Man of Danger.

The big players here appear to be Executive Fleet, who was beaten a half-length b Bustin Stones in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct; Lucky Island, who has won three of four starts for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and Man of Danger, who was second by three-quarters of a length to Sir Greeley in the Grade 3 Toboggan Handicap at Aqueduct on March 8.

Next Sunday’s feature will be the 30th running of the $100,000-added Kingston Handicap for New York-breds, three and up, at nine furlongs on the turf.

Classic Pack, Dave, Mission Approved, North Country, R Clear Victory, Red Zipper and Spurred are probable, while Al Amir and Hammock are questionable.

FAMILY FUN DAYS

Sunday during the Spring/Summer Meet from noon until 4 p.m. All events, including petting zoos, miniature golf, family comedy troupes, magicians, etc., are free, except for pony rides, which are $1 (proceeds benefit Backstretch Employees Service Team (BEST). For more information, call (516) 659-2285.

BREAKFAST AT BELMONT

Mary Ryan is trackside to point out top horses, trainers and jockeys during the morning workouts, and children delight in the Starting Gate demonstration. Tram tours of the stable area are also available. Open to the public on weekends and holidays during the Spring/Summer Meet from 7 – 9:30 a.m. Admission is free. An optional breakfast is served at reasonable prices. On Sundays, Breakfast at Belmont also features family entertainment.