NATIONAL ROUNDUP : A.P. Indy Easily Wins Peter Pan

A.P. Indy, sidelined for the first two Triple Crown races because of a bruised left front hoof, raced back into contention for 3-year-old of the year Sunday at Belmont Park.

The odds-on favorite, who had not raced since winning the Santa Anita Derby on April 4, drew off in the stretch for a 5 1/2-length victory in the Grade II Peter Pan, a prep for the Belmont Stakes on June 6. He carried 126 pounds and was timed in 1:47 2/5 for the 1 1/8 miles over a fast track, one of the best performances by a 3-year-old this year.

It was A.P. Indy’s sixth victory in seven starts. “The way he ran, he looked like he could run all day,” jockey Eddie Delahoussaye said. “They’d better have a good horse to beat him (in the Belmont).”

Trainer Neil Drysdale considered A.P. Indy’s race a “very credible performance. If he comes out of the race OK, he will continue on to the Belmont.”

A.P. Indy paid $3.00, $3,00 and $2.40. Colony Light, carrying only 114 pounds, finished 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Berkley Fitz and returned $5.80 and $3.60. Berkley Fitz, also under 114 pounds, paid $3.20.

The colt, a son of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew and a grandson of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, certainly showed that he is ready to make his Triple Crown debut in the Belmont.

Fifth after the first half mile, Delahoussaye sent A.P. Indy into the lead past Repletion near the half-mile pole. Julie Krone sent Colony Light up to challenge A.P. Indy on the turn and got within striking distance, but the winner pulled away.

In Excess will try to end a four-race losing streak in the Metropolitan Mile, which he won last year, today at Belmont Park. In Excess will carry 121 pounds, the same as Twilight Agenda, one pound more Rubiano, two more than Pleasant Tap and 14 more than 3-year-old Dixie Brass.

Dignitas, who won the Illinois Derby in his last start, is the 5-2 morning line favorite to win today’s $300,000 Jersey Derby at Garden State Park.