Green Lantern Stables' homebred A. P. Indian continued his upward trajectory July 30 with a game victory in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course. Video: Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1)
The six-furlong score was his fourth straight victory and first grade I for trainer Arnaud Delacour, who also earned the first top-level win of his career.
The 6-year-old Indian Charlie gelding stalked the early pace of Delta Bluesman, behind a :22.26 first quarter-mile. A. P. Indian took over through a :44.63 half-mile, and outdueled fellow stalker Holy Boss in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Catalina Red made mild gains to finish third and Delta Bluesman just held for fourth, edging longshot All Star Red.
Holy Boss appeared to get the jump on A. P. Indian when he put a neck in front in the turn, but the winner gamely rallied back inside to finish off the six furlongs in 1:08.25.
One of three horses off at odds of 9-2, A. P. Indian brought $11.40, $5.70, and $3.70 across the board. Holy Boss brought $4.30 and $2.90, and Catalina Red delivered $5 to show.
The win pushed A. P. Indian's 2016 record to 4-for-4, following a score via disqualification in the May 14 Decathlon at Monmouth Park, a three-length victory in the Donald LeVine Memorial at Parx Racing, and his first graded win last time out in the Belmont Sprint Championship (gr. III) July 9.
Bred in Kentucky, out of the A.P. Indy mare Ender's Sister, A. P. Indian now has $737,434 in earnings.