A.P. Indian, who had a five-race win streak broken in the TwinSpires Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in November, looks to get back on track in the April 8 Commonwealth Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. The seven-furlong Commonwealth for older horses offers a $250,000 purse.
Green Lantern Stables' A. P. Indian does his running on or close to the lead and won the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland last October. He has a pair of grade 1 victories to his credit and although he lacked a winning kick in the Breeders’ Cup, he did stay on for fourth and was eventually placed third after the disqualification of Masochistic.
The Commonwealth will mark the 2017 debut for the 7-year-old. Normally, a return at seven furlongs could be cause for concern, but the son of Indian Charlie is perfect in four tries at the distance.
“He was turned out for 45 days after the Breeders’ Cup and then he was at Classic Mile in Ocala (Florida) where I have a barn,” said trainer Arnaud Delacour. “When his training picked up, he moved on to Tampa and this is the race we pointed to (to start the year).”
Ami's Flatter won the Commonwealth a year ago by daylight, but has not visited the winner’s circle since. Usually a late runner, the Flatter horse finished second to the well-regarded Stanford last out in a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs after stalking the entire route around two turns. He was defeated by A. P. Indian in the Phoenix and needs to find more.
Redesdale is perfect in his three starts, all at six furlongs, and steps into black-type company for the first time. He is a speedy type who will likely be running with A. P. Indian early so he will be tested here for class.
Awesome Slew took the Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) last autumn and was second behind Sharp Azteca last out in the Hardacre Mile Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2). He might get a good stalking trip behind the speedsters and might be one to watch.
Yockey's Warrior is riding a three-race win streak that includes an allowance optional claiming score at Keeneland last October. This will be his first try in graded company.
Limousine Liberal was a nose behind A. P. Indian in the Phoenix last October and finished fifth (placed fourth) in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He is making his first start in five months here, but has fired fresh in the past. He has not broken through versus stakes company.
Fish Trappe Road won the Dwyer Stakes (G3) last summer and has been running with tough foes like Drefong and Whitmore since, but needs to step up his game to make an impression on the win end. Tale of S'avall draws the rail off a third in the Fred W. Hooper (G3) last out but also has yet to prove himself against these types. It’s tough to make a case for Riding in the Wind, who has spent most of his time in lesser company and hasn’t won in nearly a year.
Keeneland, Saturday, April 08, 2017, Race 6Entries: Commonwealth S. (G3)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Tale of S'avall (KY) Tyler Gaffalione 118 Barclay Tagg 12/1 2 2Fish Trappe Road (NY) Julien R. Leparoux 118 W. Bret Calhoun 8/1 3 3Limousine Liberal (KY) Jose L. Ortiz 118 Ben Colebrook 9/2 4 4Yockey's Warrior (KY) Miguel Mena 118 Albert M. Stall, Jr. 8/1 5 5Redesdale (KY) Robby Albarado 118 Brendan P. Walsh 15/1 6 6Riding in the Wind (OH) Marco A. Ccamaque 118 Jose L. Lopez 50/1 7 7Ami's Flatter (ON) Florent Geroux 118 Josie Carroll 4/1 8 8A. P. Indian (KY) Joe Bravo 120 Arnaud Delacour 8/5 9 9Awesome Slew (FL) Joel Rosario 118 Mark E. Casse 6/1
