American Lion takes Illinois Derby

American Lion, the second betting choice at 3-1, covered the 1 1-8 mile in 1:51.31 on a fast track.

All five of American Lion's previous races had been on synthetic surfaces -- at Arlington Park, Keeneland, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita -- and he had won a maiden race and the Grade III Hollywood Prevue. In addition to making his dirt debut, the son of two-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow was ridden by David Flores for the first time.

Leaving from the inside post position in the eight-horse race, Flores had an easy time getting the lead.

Yawanna Twist, the New York invader who went off the 1.30-10 favorite, immediately became the stalker and they were a study in slow-motion, racing the quarter mile in :24.89 and the half in :49.32. They remained 1-2 for the duration of the 1 1/8-mile race.

In the stretch, jockey Edgar Prado called on Yawanna Twist and he tried to take command but American Lion answered the challenge and won in 1:51.31.

Backtalk was a distant third, 11 1/4 lengths behind the runner-up. His owners still have Derby hopes for Backtalk, who had won four of his previous six. They believe the slow pace didn't suit him.

Trainer Eoin Harty Harty confirmed the intentions of the WinStar Farm horse after the race.

"There is only one Derby and we plan on being there," Harty said. "I think we needed to get a race over the dirt and fortunately he responded well to it."

American Lion had only raced on synthetic surfaces in California before Saturday.

The last Illinois Derby winner to win the Kentucky Derby was War Emblem in 2002.

American Lion paid $8.60, $3.80 and $2.80 for winning the Grade 3 race. Yawanna Twist paid $2.80 and $2.20, while morning-line favorite Backtalk paid $3.00 to show.