Tomcito was a two-time Group 1 winner in Peru as a two-year-old but there are questions that have yet to be answered in his three starts in the United States.
He was third in Big Brown's Florida Derby (G1), beaten 12 1/2 lengths, sixth in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) at Keeneland Race Course, although only beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Behindatthebar, and seventh in Casino Drive's Peter Pan Stakes (G2), 22 1/4 lengths back of the winner.
Prior to the Peter Pan trainer Dante Zanelli Jr. had not lost confidence in the Street Cry (Ire) colt.
"He's been special since Day One," Zanelli said after the Keeneland race. "The Lexington wasn't that bad, considering he gave six pounds to everyone and the Polytrack was not to his liking. The ride wasn't what we expected, either. He didn't run a terrible race but he didn't make any money [that could have gotten him into the Kentucky Derby].
"It's too bad because I think he would have run a heck of a race in the Derby."
One of the attractions of the Peter Pan at Belmont Park was, as Zanelli said, "the bigger the track, the better."
Tomcito is currently recuperating from minor throat surgery.
"He displaced his palate in the Peter Pan, and had a myectomy [May 13] so he would remain on target for the Belmont," Zanelli said. "He returned to the track on May 16 and at this point we are training and going on a day-to-day basis. Hopefully, he gets his confidence back. Big Brown may be from another planet, but we will try to do our best."
May 28 - Seven furlongs breezing in 1:29.88 at Belmont Park, track fast. Only workout at the distance.
"He did what we wanted," trainer Dante Zanelli said. "The idea was to let him stretch out and get [new jockey Alan] Garcia adjusted to him. He was happy with the breeze. I didn't want to do anything fast."