A. P. Indian seeks repeat in Decathlon Stakes
Monmouth Park has put together a solid opening-day card for Saturday anchored by the $75,000 Decathlon, a six-furlong stakes for 3-year-olds and up. The 11-race program also includes three allowance or optional-claiming races. A total of 104 horses were entered, but eight are either also-eligibles or main-track-only runners. Still, at 96 horses, the fields average 8.7 entrants per race.
The 57-day Monmouth meet will run through Sept. 25 with a first post of 12:50 p.m. Eastern. Racing will be held Saturdays and Sundays until Fridays are added in June. Holiday racing is scheduled for May 30, July 4, and Sept. 5.
Trainer Jorge Navarro and jockey Paco Lopez will be seeking their fourth consecutive Monmouth titles. Frank Mirahmadi is back in the announcer’s booth for his second season.
A. P. Indian will seek a repeat win in the Decathlon. Last year, he defeated Favorite Tale by 2 3/4 lengths and then went to Parx Racing to win the Donald LeVine Memorial. A 6-year-old gelding based at the Fair Hill Training Center with Arnaud Delacour, A. P. Indian will be making his first start since October.
“We had a few issues last year that we needed to fix,” Delacour said. “I am very happy with him. He had a good final breeze for this race.”
A. P. Indian has run well fresh in the past. He won his career debut in 2012 and, in his first start for Delacour, returned from a 13-month layoff in February 2015 to win an optional race at Tampa Bay Downs. Delacour has worked him seven times since March 21.
“When he’s well and sound, he always shows up,” Delacour said. “I expect him to run well.”
The eight-horse field also includes two runners for David Jacobson, two Maryland shippers, a sharp Florida winner for Jorge Navarro, and Charles Town star Lucy’s Bob Boy.
Decathlon Stakes, Race 10
Key contenders
A. P. Indian, by Indian Charlie
Last 3 Beyers: 92-86-98
◗ A. P. Indian is fast but faces several other quick runners here and must avoid getting caught in a speed duel. His rider, Daniel Centeno, is 3 for 4 aboard him.
Seeking the Sherif, by Officer
Last 3 Beyers: 96-94-78
◗ A 7-year-old, he will be making his first start outside of California. He was claimed last out at Santa Anita by Jacobson for $50,000 while scoring his second straight win at that class level. He has worked six times at Belmont Park since being claimed March 20.
Delta Bluesman, by Wagon Limit
Last 3 Beyers: 92-73-97
◗ Ripped off six furlongs in 1:08.91 to win a high-level optional race at Gulfstream Park for Navarro on April 13. He worked a bullet half-mile at Monmouth on Tuesday.
Any Court Inastorm, by Successful Appeal
Last 3 Beyers; 90-83-83
◗ Ran well to be second to Sonny Inspired in the statebred Ben’s Cat Stakes at Laurel Park in his most recent start for trainer Jason Egan.
D C Dancer, by Not For Love
Last 3 Beyers: 90-71-89
◗ Was clearly second-best in a third-level optional race at Laurel last time out for Mike Trombetta but is 4 for 29 in his career, with 10 seconds.
Lucy’s Bob Boy, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 74-76-80
◗ This millionaire has scored all 25 of his wins at Charles Town. He is 0 for 4 elsewhere.