Keeneland's Opening Day Sizzles: The Phoenix and Alcibiades in Photos

With a high of 85 degrees, Keeneland's fall opening day was unseasonably warm. Green Lantern Stables' homebred A. P. Indian paid the heat no mind--and created a little of his own--by lowering the 6-furlong track record to 1:08.43 in the 164th running of the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (Gr. II). The previous record of 1:08.58 was set by Runhappy in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Sprint.

A. P. Indian, a six-year-old Indian Charlie gelding, won 11 of his 17 starts and is undefeated in six starts this year. Jockey Joe Bravo has been the gelding's rider for his last five starts.

A. P. Indian and groom in the paddock before the Phoenix Stakes (Gr. II).

(Above & below two) A. P. Indian and Joe Bravo narrowly win the Phoenix Stakes (Gr. II) over Limousine Liberal.

A. P. Indian and Joe Bravo are walked into the winner's circle by trainer Arnaud Delacour and groom after winning the Phoenix Stakes (Gr. II).

A. P. Indian and groom after winning the Phoenix Stakes (Gr. II).

Dancing Rags, winner of a maiden special weight at Laurel Park last out, captured the Grade I Darley Alcibiades, and the win was a very special one for her regular jockey, Angel Cruz. It was Cruz's first mount at Keeneland, and first graded stakes victory.

The daughter of Union Rags is owned by Phyllis Wyeth, who also raced Union Rags, and trained by Graham Motion.

Fun has some fun in the paddock prior to the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).

Favored Diadura last won the Arlington-Washington Lassie.

Dancing Rags warms up prior to the the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).

(Above & below) The start of the the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).

(Above & below two) Dancing Rags and Angel Cruz win the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).

Angel Cruz celebrates his first stakes win after winning the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).

The winner's circle for the Darley Alcibiades (Gr. I).