Donegal Racing’s A. P. Kid, expertly handled by jockey John Velazquez, demonstrated a powerful closing kick to capture the $300,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga. Originally slated for the turf, the race was moved to a muddy main track and contested at a one-mile distance.
The victory continued a successful day for trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddled three of the six runners in the field, including the winner.
As the gates opened, Mi Bago, under Irad Ortiz, Jr., broke alertly to establish the lead, setting fractions of 23.64 for the quarter-mile and 46.92 for the half. A. P. Kid, a ridgling by Honor A. P., settled comfortably in second, stalking the leader from the outside in a three-wide path.
Mi Bago maintained his advantage through the turn, clicking off three-quarters in 1:11.18, but as the field straightened for home, Velazquez asked A. P. Kid for his run. Angling out six to seven wide into the upper stretch, A. P. Kid responded with authority, rallying to seize command just inside the eighth pole. From there, he drew clear under a hand ride to win by a decisive 6 1/4 lengths.
The final time for the mile over the sealed, muddy track was 1:36.83.
Mi Bago, the 1.25-to-1 favorite, held on gamely for second, proving to be the best of the rest, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of Golden Channel in third. Noble Confessor and Bulldoze, both also from the Pletcher barn, finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
The victory was a testament to A. P. Kid’s versatility, handling the last-minute surface switch with aplomb to secure the listed stakes win.
Scratched Horse(s): Flying Mohawk (Stakes Scratch), States’ Rights (Stakes Scratch), Tom’s Magic (Stakes Scratch), Zulu Kingdom (IRE) (Stakes Scratch)
Fractional Times: 23.64, 46.92, 1:11.18, and 1:24.01
Final Time: 1:36.83
Winning Connections
Winner: A. P. Kid
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Owner: Donegal Racing
Breeder: Parks Investment Group, LLC
Bloodline: Dark Bay or Brown Ridgling, by Honor A. P. out of Lady Mamba, by War Front. Foaled Mar 06, 2022 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Honor A.P. is standing at Lane’s End, in Versailles, KY for $10,000 Live Foal / Stands & Nurses
Payouts
1st – (2) A. P. Kid – Win: $8.80, Place: $3.90, Show: $3.20
2nd – (7) Mi Bago – Place: $3.40, Show: $2.80
3rd – (8) Golden Channel – Show: $4.10
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (2-7) Paid: $11.30, $0.50 Trifecta (2-7-8) Paid: $39.37, $0.10 Superfecta (2-7-8-9) Paid: $17.25 Sources
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