Record-setting victory for A.P. Indian in G1 Priority One Jets Forego

by Phil Janack

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."