A.P. Indian Sets Stakes Record in G1 Forego Triumph

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Green Lantern Stables LLC homebred A.P. Indian extended his win streak in record-setting style, cruising to a 2 ½-length victory in the Grade 1, $700,000 Priority One Jets Forego Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

The 37th running of the seven-furlong Forego, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, was the fourth of seven graded stakes and six Grade 1 events on a blockbuster 13-race Travers Day program highlighted by the 147th running of the Mid-Summer Derby.

Ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer Arnaud Delacour, A.P. Indian ran seven furlongs in 1:20.99 over a fast main track, besting the previous stakes record of 1:21 held by Quick Call (1988), Housebuster (1991) and Emcee (2012).

The final time was also .59 off the Saratoga track record of 1:20.40 set by Darby Creek Road on August 8, 1978.

The victory was the fourth straight and second of the summer at Saratoga for A. P. Indian, who won the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 30. Favored at even money in a field of 10 older sprinters, he returned $4.20 for a $2 win bet.

A 6-year-old gelded bay son of Indian Charlie, A.P. Indian earned $420,000 for the win to push his career bankroll over $1 million at $1,157,434 from 16 starts.

“He’s having a lot of fun at what he does,” Delacour said. “I told Joe nothing. I just asked him what he wanted to do and he told me what he wanted to do and I said, ‘Good luck.’

“I did [have confidence in him with a race over the track] and also that he won the two stakes this year already going seven-eighths,” he added. “That is always an edge. Obviously, the horse was very fit. Six furlongs or seven-eighths, there isn’t that much difference. He has enough tactical speed to go six and enough stamina to keep going at seven, so it’s pretty amazing.”

A.P. Indian broke running from the far outside post but was beaten to the lead by 16-1 long shot Chief Lion, who took the field through an opening quarter-mile in 22.83 seconds and a half in 45.35.

Bravo had A.P. Indian in striking position to Chief Lion’s outside and glided up to challenge after they ran six furlongs in a sparkling 1:08.80, surging past effortlessly after straightening for home and opening up in the stretch. Tamarkuz, a multiple group stakes winner in Dubai last year sent off at 20-1, came flying late for second, and Stallwalkin’ Dude rallied for third.

They were followed under the wire by Dannie’s Deceiver, Catalina Red, The Truth Or Else, Limousine Liberal, Schivarelli, Chief Lion and Ready for Rye. Anchor Down and Marking were scratched.

“I was really shocked, he was just so relaxed all the way through to the wire,” said Bravo. “It’s really a pleasure to be able to ride a horse like that. It just shows the control and different dimensions he possesses. It took him a little time to develop but, wow, he’s just enjoying the game. He knew he would beat those horses today.”

Priority One Jets (G1) Forego Quotes

“Win and You’re In Breeders’ Cup Sprint Division” 

Arnaud Delacour, winning trainer of A.P. Indian (No. 11): “He’s having a lot of fun at what he does. The race [Belmont Sprint Championship] at Belmont [was a turning point for him]. He came back so much more confident for some reason. Ever since, he has been improving and consistent. I told Joe nothing. I just asked him what he wanted to do and he told me what he wanted to do, and I said ‘good luck.'”

“I did [have confidence in him with a race over the track] and also that he won the two stakes this year already going seven-eighths. That is always an edge. Obviously, the horse was very fit. Six furlongs or seven-eighths, there isn’t that much more difference. He has enough tactical speed to go six and enough stamina to keep going at seven, so it’s pretty amazing.”

Breeders’ Cup?

“I will have to talk to the owner. We will map out a plan if it is what we want to do. He needs to bring us there. I just want to make sure he is still going well and happy. In that case, we will consider.” 

Joe Bravo, winning rider aboard A.P. Indian (No. 11): “I was really shocked, he was just so relaxed all the way through to the wire. It’s really a pleasure to be able to ride a horse like that. It just shows the control and different dimensions he possesses. I learned more and more about him after his first race; just getting used to his habits and getting them out of the way. He ran a huge race at a mile and sixteenth and got beat by a nose, so that made me really feel comfortable with him. The way he did it so relaxed just makes you feel so comfortable. It took him a little time to develop but wow, he’s just enjoying the game. He knew he would beat those horses today.”

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of runner-up Tamarkuz (No. 6): “He ran huge today. We’re really thrilled. He’s run well before but today was obviously his best run in America. We’re happy that he did so well.”

“He just ran into some really good horses. He still has a lot of races in him here. Hopefully, by the end of the year, he can win one of these Grade 1s and he can stay at stud in America.”

NYRA