Laura Kraut and Andretti S (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com)

North Salem, N.Y. -  After a successful season in 2014, Andretti S had some time off, which resulted in a few setbacks, but Saturday he proved he is back in top form. Laura Kraut piloted the 10-year-old gelding to the quickest clear jump-off, setting a blistering pace to beat out Ireland's Paul O'Shea aboard Skara Glen's Machu Picchu and Colombia's Roberto Teran with Woklahoma in the $85,000 Fidelity® Investments Classic at the American Gold Cup.

Only 11 of the 48 entries were able to master Alan Wade's first round track on the Old Salem Farm Grand Prix Field, which featured a technical triple combination at the end of the course. Kraut set the initial pace to beat with her first mount Constable II, owned by Cherry Knoll Farm, crossing the finish line in a clear 39.73 seconds, but that would only hold up for sixth place as the slowest of the clears.

Molly Ashe-Cawley on Louisburg Farm's Balous Day Date and Mario Deslauriers on Karen Polle's Global van T Braunerthof were each able to clear the jump-off course in times of 39.57 seconds and 38.34 seconds to finish fifth and fourth, respectively.

O'Shea was the first rider to break the 37 second mark, laying on the gas with Skara Glen's Machu Picchu and cruising to a faultless time of 36.58 seconds to take the initial lead.

Kraut was warming up on Andretti, owned by Star and Stripes, and did not get to see O'Shea's round, but when she heard his time she knew she would need to go as fast as possible. Luckily, Andretti S was up to the challenge, dashing over each obstacle to break the beam at 35.22 seconds, taking over the lead and relegating O'Shea to second. The only other rider to cross the timers in less than 37 seconds was Teran with Woklahma, but they would settle for third in a clear 36.72 seconds, while Kraut led the lap of honor.

"I didn't see Paul's round at all; I only heard his time, which was really, really fast compared to my time on my first horse," admitted Kraut. "I was always going to go in and go as fast as I could.  I thought I had an uncomfortably fast gallop to the second jump. All the turns worked, and it was his day."

Andretti S was very successful last fall, which led Kraut to give the talented chestnut gelding two months off, but when it was time for his return there were a few snags in the road. "He had a breathing issue, partial paralysis of his larynx, that had to get operated on," explained Kraut. "That took a month and a half, then he had a bruised heel that took a while to resolve. Finally, in July, he started to get back with some form of consistency."

Kraut is thrilled to have Andretti S back on form and believes he is a crucial addition to her string. "The horse can jump anything; he's got all the scope," she noted. "He's a little bit of a quirky horse, so it's taking him longer. He missed half he year, so I'm playing catch-up with him. Right now he feels like he did when he finished last year, so if he keeps developing like this, I think he can jump anything."

Richie Moloney and Alsvid Score $35,000 Hermès Sellier Speed Derby Win

Earlier in the day, the athletes made full use of the large Grand Prix Field when they galloped over the hills and up the bank during the $35,000 Hermès Sellier Speed Derby. Roberto Teran was once again one of the fastest of the day, going second in the order and setting time to beat at 78.76 seconds on Ark Partners' Farina. Ireland's Lorcan Gallagher came very close when he cleared the course on Alexander Devries' Esquina van Kalpscheut, and stopped the clock at 78.82 seconds.

The winning time would come from one of the last to show though. Richie Moloney and Equinimity LLC's Alsvid had a huge gallop throughout the course. They soared over the final oxer and tripped the timers at 76.61 seconds to take home the victory by two seconds, while Teran and Gallagher settled for second and third, respectively.

"My plan was to just be as quick as I could really and try to get the turns as smooth as I could," said Moloney. "I was pretty quick everywhere, but I slowed down towars the end a tiny bit just to make sure I left the last one up."

Moloney concluded, "I've been riding Alsvid for over four years, and he always gets results - every show he goes to just about. He's a great horse; he can do everything."

Patricia Hennessy and Little Tom Top $10,000 Mitchell-Innes & Nash Fine Art Adult Amateur Classic

The Grand Prix Field kicked off the day's full schedule of competition with the $10,000 Mitchell-Innes & Nash Fine Art Adult Amateur Classic at 9 a.m. Fifty-six Adult Jumpers attempted the Alan Wade-designed course, but only 15 were able to move on to the jump-off, where Patricia Hennessy and 20-year-old Little Tom took top honors for the second time since 2013 with a double clear effort in 32.108 seconds.

"He's been such a good horse," said Hennessy. "It took us a little bit to get used to each other, but he's been such an amazing and consistent horse. We always say that we're lucky everyday that we get to go out with him. As long as he wants to keep doing it, we'll keep doing it because if he says no, he doesn't owe me a thing."

"I love the grass field here, it's so much fun," added Hennessy. "Lucy Mitchell-Innes sponsors the division, and it's so great because otherwise we wouldn't be on the field. So thanks to her we get to go. It's such a beautiful venue; they do such a nice job, and the courses are always good. It's special here."
Mary Kate Olsen and Hertog Van't Merodehof followed Hennessy to claim second with a time of 35.304 seconds, while Laura Faulkner and Pompadour finished in third in 36.005 seconds.
Leah DeMartini and Eurocommerce Tampa Take $10,000 Houlihan Lawrence Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic Victory

The Jumper Ring hosted multiple Classics on Saturday, including the $10,000 Houlihan Lawrence Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, which featured 65 entries competing for the winning prize. Midway through the order, Leah DeMartini broke the 27-second mark aboard Elm Rock's Eurocommerce Tampa when she cleared the track in 26.598 seconds to set an unbeatable pace.

Seven rounds later, Christina Firestone came close on Chantilly when she was able to produce a faultless effort in 26.754 seconds. Firestone would settled for third though, when Alexandra Duval and Tornado stopped the clock at 26.707 seconds to slide into second, while DeMartini claimed the victory.

"I had no idea my time would hold up," smiled DeMatini after her win. "These classes tend to be pretty quick and there are a lot of horses, but Tampa is an awesome horse; I trust him. I just let him travel, and everything kind of came up like I wanted and was hoping!"

DeMartini concluded, "I've had him for five or six years now, and I really trust him. He's almost better when he's going forward and really challenging him, so these classes are fun because I think no matter how fast it gets, you still feel like you have a shot."

The $10,000 NAL Low Junior Jumper Classic was also held in the Jumper Ring, with just fractions separating the top two competitors. Kady Abrahamson set the pace aboard Icebreaker during the jump-off, finishing in a clear 34.164 seconds for the win. Sheer Levitin was right on her heels, clocking in at 34.398 seconds for the second place honors with Nabuco. The third place award went to Brianne Link riding Wednesday and finishing in 37.050 seconds.

The day kicked-off with the $5,000 Gochman Family Children's Classic, where the victory went to Ameila Riegel riding Ultra d'Eclipse. The pair was one of only two double clear entries, with Riegel finishing the jump-off in 37.3939 seconds. Kathleen Full-Baudeneau and Dithari were one second short during the tiebreaker for second place, while Marissa Rice and Laetitia took home the third place award with the fastest four-fault jump-off.

About the American Gold Cup
Held over five days, the American Gold Cup brings together a diverse crowd of elite equestrian athletes, discerning horse owners, excited fans and young hopefuls waiting to catch a glimpse of their idols set amongst a fanfare of family-friendly activities, competitions, shopping, entertainment and celebrity sightings.

In addition to the competition ring, the international show jumping event features high-end shopping located along Old Salem Farm's boutique row. From top-notch equestrian tack and equipment to fashion, jewelry, antiques, art and much more, the scenic outdoor boutiques offer show-goers the perfect opportunity to get some shopping in while taking a break from the competition action.

Old Salem Farm, located an hour north of New York City, boasts a state-of-the-art stabling facility, an historic pristine grass Grand Prix field and outstanding competition and schooling arenas, all of which are surrounded by one of the world's most charming and picturesque competition venue settings. For the past four years, the North American Riders Group (NARG) has recognized the Old Salem Farm competitions on their NARG Top 25 List. For more information on Old Salem Farm, including its yearlong competition schedule, prize lists, clinics, boarding, lessons and training, visit www.oldsalemfarm.net.

RESULTS: Saturday, Sepetember 12, 2015
$85,000 Fidelity® Investments Classic
1.    290     Andretti S     Kraut, Laura     USA         28050.00 US      0 penalties 35.22 sec
      chest 10y.G /Corland/Animo/KWPN/103WG35/ Stars and Stripes      USA      jump-off
2.    430     Skara Glen's Machu Picchu     O'Shea, Paul     IRL         17000.00 US      0 penalties 36.58 sec
      bay 8y.G /Silverstone VDL/Matterhorn/KWPN/104OE14/ Skara Glen Stables, Whipstick      IRL      jump-off
3.    475     Woklahoma     Teran, Roberto     COL         12750.00 US      0 penalties 36.72 sec
      bay 12y.M /Sheraton/Calvados/KWPN/102ZG74/ Ark Partners Llc      COL      jump-off
4.    689     Global van T Braunerthof     Deslauriers, Mario     USA         8500.00 USD      0 penalties 38.34 sec
      chest 9y.G /Vigo d'Arsouilles/Landetto/BWP/103OK48/ Karen Polle      USA      jump-off
5.    205     Balous Day Date     Ashe-Cawley, Molly     USA         5100.00 USD      0 penalties 39.57 sec
      black 10y.M /Balou du Rover/Domino/OLDBG/103RB34/ Louisburg Farm      USA      jump-off
6.    291     Constable II     Kraut, Laura     USA         3825.00 USD      0 penalties 39.73 sec
      chest 8y.G /Harley VDL/Lupicor/KWPN/103ZB45/ Cherry Knoll Farm      USA      jump-off
7.    678     Indigo     Engle, Margie     USA         2550.00 USD      4 penalties 37.30 sec
      grey 15y.S /Indoctro/102VB74/ Gladewinds Farm Inc      Elm Rock      jump-off
8.    141     Hitchcock vd Broekkant     Oken, Alise     USA         2125.00 USD      4 penalties 41.20 sec
      8y.G /Canturo/Heartbreaker/BWP/103NS58/ Hi Hopes Farm, Llc      USA      jump-off
9.    377     Cassinja S     Jacobs, Charlie     USA         1700.00 USD      8 penalties 39.16 sec
      bay 9y.M /Carinjo/Cassini I/ZWEIB/103TL23/ Cmj Sporthorse, Llc      USA      jump-off
10.    830     Helios     Sternlicht, Adrienne     USA         1700.00 USD      8 penalties 40.23 sec
      bay 8y.S /Couleur Rubin/Grandeur/BWP/104KQ87/ Michael Whitaker      USA      jump-off
11.    300     Hh Ciske van Overis     Mcalary, Maggie     USA         850.00 USD      8 penalties 40.75 sec
      bay 13y.M /Celano/Darco/BWP/102UA44/ Double H Farm      USA      jump-off
12.    272     Rubens LS la Silla     Mannix, Vanessa     CAN         850.00 USD      1 penalty 83.95 sec
      chest 9y.S /Rebozo LS la Silla/Cash/SLS/104AO57/ Vanessa Mannix      CAN      round 1
     
$35,000 Hermès Sellier Speed Derby
1.    421     Alsvid     Moloney, Richie     IRL         11550.00 US      76.61 seconds
      black 14y.G /Escudo I/Azur/HANN/102PL65/ Equinimity Llc      IRL
2.    476     Farina     Teran, Roberto     COL         7000.00 USD      78.76 seconds
      bay 9y.M /Marome/Orville/AES/103VP17/ Ark Partners Llc      COL
3.    117     Esquina van Klapscheut     Gallagher, Lorcan     IRL         5250.00 USD      78.82 seconds
      bay 11y.M /Thunder van de Zuuthoeve/Ahorn Z/BWP/103LX69/ Alexander Devries      IRL
4.    133     Capall Zidane     McGuigan, Ronan     IRL         3500.00 USD      78.85 seconds (74.85)
      bay 11y.G /Concorde/Baloubet du Rouet/KWPN/103VP94/ Mr Ronan Peter Mc Guigan      IRL
5.    702     Cosma     Mcardle, Abigail     USA         2100.00 USD      79.37 seconds (75.37)
      dches 12y.M /Couleur Rubin/Stakkato/HANN/102RV57/ David Mc Ardle      USA
6.    420     Carneyhaugh Manx     Lutz, Peter     USA         1575.00 USD      81.00 seconds
      chest 10y.G /VDL Douglas/Hampton Clover/103UR37/ Katherine Gallagher      Davenport
7.    728     Verdi     Rodriguez, Andres     VEN         1050.00 USD      81.25 seconds (77.25)
      bay 13y.G /Andiamo/Libero H/SCSL/102LX52/ Midas Business Group S.A.      VEN
8.    703     Harriri     Mcardle, Abigail     USA         875.00 USD      81.54 seconds
      chest 8y.M /Nabab de Reve/Darco/BWP/104VT92/ Plain Bay Sales      USA
9.    853     Farfelu du Printemps     Henselwood, Jill     CAN         700.00 USD      82.01 seconds
      bay 10y.G /Action Breaker/Darco/BWP/103MK42/ John Madigan      CAN
10.    453     Luxina     Hughes, Michael     USA         700.00 USD      82.97 seconds (78.97)
      bay 11y.M /Lux/Ahorn/KWPN/103WB13/ Christina Fried      USA
11.    598     Central Park     Flores, Vasco     PUR         350.00 USD      83.54 seconds (79.54)
      chest 8y.G /Perigueux/For Feeling/HANN/104BG56/ Gotham Enterprizes, Llc      PUR
12.    362     Boemerang Van Generhese     Garza, Eugenio     MEX         350.00 USD      84.94 seconds (80.94)
      bay G /Moujik De Sohan/Isabelle/SBS/103SF42/ El Milagro      El Milagro

$10,000 Mitchell-Innes & Nash Fine Art Adult Amateur Classic
1.    181     Little Tom     Hennessy, Patricia     USA         2800.00 USD      0 penalties 32.108 sec
      bay 20y.G / Patricia Hennessy      Beacon Hill Stables      jump-off
2.    200     Hertog Van't Merodehof     Olsen, Mary Kate     USA         1800.00 USD      0 penalties 35.304 sec
      chest 8y.G / Mary Kate Olsen      Stormfront Sales      jump-off
3.    447     Pompadour     Faulkner, Laura     USA         1250.00 USD      0 penalties 36.005 sec
      bay G / Laura Faulkner      Kelianda Farm      jump-off
4.    752     Dignity     Lackey, Carolyn     USA         900.00 USD      0 penalties 37.685 sec
      bay 12y.M / Pine Hollow Farm      Hermitage Farm      jump-off
5.    743     Shinto 3     Rae, Elizabeth     USA         800.00 USD      0 penalties 38.958 sec
      chest 16y.G /Concorde/Goldine/KWPN/ Elizabeth Rae      North Run      jump-off
6.    618     Anahof's Lawello     Afzal, Alexandra     USA         700.00 USD      0 penalties 39.143 sec
      bay 15y.G / Linda Langmeier      Kascade Ent. Inc      jump-off
7.    202     Feu D'Amour     Olsen, Mary Kate     USA         600.00 USD      4 penalties 33.611 sec
      grey 10y.M / Cd Llc      Stormfront Sales      jump-off
8.    426     Equifit Cayenne 178     Cherubini, Alexandra     USA         450.00 USD      4 penalties 34.117 sec
      bay 9y.M / Lovelite, Llc      USA      jump-off
9.    831     Antonov     Wolffer, Joanna     USA         350.00 USD      4 penalties 37.856 sec
      grey G / Joanna Wolffer      Bluman      jump-off
10.    203     Virginia     Olsen, Mary Kate     USA         350.00 USD      8 penalties 34.064 sec
      bay 10y.M / Cd Llc      Stormfront Sales      jump-off
11.    407     Tippitoo     Lowell, Vicki     USA         315.00 USD      8 penalties 44.995 sec
      bay 15y.M / Vicki Lowell      Old Salem      jump-off
12.    839     Zenith Z     Hogan, Avery     USA         315.00 USD      16 penalties 58.483 sec
      bay G / Avery Hogan      Kelianda Farm      jump-off

$10,000 Houlihan Lawrence Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic    
1.    213     Eurocommerce Tampa     Demartini, Leah     USA         2800.00 USD      0 penalties 26.598 sec
            Elm Rock      jump-off
2.    593     Tornado     Duval, Alexandra     USA         1800.00 USD      0 penalties 26.707 sec
            Andrew Welles Llc      jump-off
3.    505     Chantilly     Firestone, Christina     USA         1250.00 USD      0 penalties 26.754 sec
      bay 11y.M / Bertram & Diana Firestone      USA      jump-off
4.    871     Harley 86     Schaufeld, Haley     USA         900.00 USD      0 penalties 27.315 sec
      bay 13y.M /KWPN/ River Farm Sporthorses      USA      jump-off
5.    170     Balou Countess     Horween, Natalie     USA         800.00 USD      0 penalties 27.690 sec
            USA      jump-off
6.    235     Cadzand     Oberkircher, David     USA         700.00 USD      0 penalties 27.737 sec
      brey 11y.G / Southfields Farm Llc      USA      jump-off
7.    536     Ahaveros     Johnson Merton, Jazz     USA         600.00 USD      0 penalties 27.768 sec
            Triton      jump-off
8.    669     Bull Run's Becky Blue     Mcdermott, Megan     USA         450.00 USD      0 penalties 28.127 sec
      grey 13y.M / Madeline Mcdermott      Bull Run Jumpers      jump-off
9.    111     Easy Money     Gilbertson, Lacey     USA         350.00 USD      0 penalties 28.221 sec
            Sweet Oak Farm      jump-off
10.    769     Faemes Van T Poelzelhof     Seaman, Callie     USA         350.00 USD      0 penalties 28.502 sec
            Heritage      jump-off
11.    744     Diva     Torano, Danielle     USA               0 penalties 28.674 sec
            Jet Show Stable      jump-off
12.    167     Libella     Kluger, Anna     USA               0 penalties 28.720 sec
            Brigadoon Show Stables      jump-off
           
$10,000 Low Junior Jumper Classic
1.    182     Icebreaker     Abrahamson, Kady     USA         2800.00 USD      0 penalties 34.164 sec
      bay 12y.G / Abrahamson Equestrian Llc      Heritage      jump-off
2.    643     Nabuco     Levitin, Sheer     USA         1800.00 USD      0 penalties 34.398 sec
      bay 12y.G / Sheer Levitin      With Stonehenge      jump-off
3.    534     Wednesday Mornin     Link, Brianne     USA         1250.00 USD      0 penalties 37.050 sec
      bay M / Diane Denby      Woodside Farm      jump-off
4.    775     Catachi     Fath, Coco     USA         900.00 USD      0 penalties 38.251 sec
      bay 10y.G / Hillside Farm Llc      Heritage      jump-off
5.    101     Casper     Cunniffe, Ailish     USA         800.00 USD      0 penalties 38.377 sec
      grey 12y.G /Takashi Van Berkenbroeck/Brigitte/BWP/ Whipstick Farm, Ltd.      North Run      jump-off
6.    654     Cote D'Or Vls     Dienst, Emma     USA         700.00 USD      0 penalties 43.135 sec
      grey 8y.M / Emma Dienst      Beyaert Farm      jump-off
7.    644     Zin Chin     Levitin, Sheer     USA         600.00 USD      4 penalties 33.494 sec
      bay G /Chin Chin/Nina/KPWN/ Sheer Levitin      With Stonehenge      jump-off
8.    561     Pugnax     Bloch, Olivia     USA         450.00 USD      4 penalties 36.520 sec
      chest 16y.G / Old Salem Farm      USA      jump-off
9.    239     Una     Schwartz, Alexa     USA         350.00 USD      4 penalties 37.753 sec
      grey 11y.M / Bridlewood Stables, Llc      Triton      jump-off
10.    446     Bente     Helmer, Maverick     USA         350.00 USD      4 penalties 38.454 sec
      chest 9y.M / Maarten Huygens      Mario Deslauriers Inc      jump-off
11.    318     Vdl Casanova     Wilkenfeld, Chloe     USA               4 penalties 39.453 sec
      bay G /Hold Up Premiere/KWPN/ James Buchanan      Limelight Farm      jump-off
12.    810     Billy Boy     Barnard, Lily     USA               4 penalties 42.745 sec
      bay G /Odermus R/Stefany/KPWN/ Lily Barnard      Mario Deslauriers Inc      jump-off           
           
$5,000 Gochman Family Children's Classic           
1.    336     Ultra d' Eclipse     Riegel, Amelia     USA         1500.00 USD      0 penalties 37.393 sec
      grey M /Cassini I/Octavia/HOLST/ Amelia Riegel      Wembley Farm      jump-off
2.    458     Ditharin     Full-Baudeneau, Kathleen     USA         1000.00 USD      0 penalties 38.657 sec
      bay M /KPWN/ Kathleen Full-Baudeneau      USA      jump-off
3.    712     Laetitia     Rice, Marissa     USA         700.00 USD      4 penalties 33.852 sec
      chest 14y.M /HANN/ Kim Rice      Staysail      jump-off
4.    132     Cachaca 4     Mccormack, Maggie     USA         500.00 USD      4 penalties 35.225 sec
      bay 11y.G / Marker'S Make Llc      Ginsberg Bobby      jump-off
5.    890     Stedets Lucky     Hicks, Riley     USA         400.00 USD      4 penalties 41.677 sec
            Lionshare Farm      jump-off
6.    694     Image De Torandria     Aylsworth, Amber Lynn     USA         350.00 USD      4 penalties 41.902 sec
      chest 7y.M / Scca Ventures      Norfield Stables      jump-off
7.    827     Contino 46     Lupica, Hannah     USA         300.00 USD      17 penalties 49.718 sec
      bay 11y.G / Hannah Lupica      USA      jump-off
8.    826     Hypnose Van Paemel     Lupica, Hannah     USA         250.00 USD      4 penalties 60.420 sec
      grey 8y.M / Hannah Lupica      USA      round 1
9.    138     Chapeau     Mccormack, Maggie     USA               4 penalties 64.178 sec
      bay 8y.G /KWPN/ Blythe Masters      Esperanza      round 1
10.    887     Foolish Pleasure     Wright, Jennifer     USA               4 penalties 65.755 sec
      chest G / Jacquelin Ventorino      USA