Andretti S marks comeback with fine victory in North Salem.

Two interesting competitions took place yesterday at the CSI4*-W North Salem (NY) and both were held in the Grand Prix arena.
In the first, the Hermes Speed Derby, the winner was Richie Moloney with Alsvid owned by Equinimity LLC while in second we find Roberto Teran with Farina and in third Lorcan Gallagher with Esquina van Klapscheut.
The aforementioned competition against the clock was then followed by the Fidelity Investments Classic with prize money of 85.000 € and saw Laura Kraut with Andretti S beat off the competition to take first place.
The win marks the return to form for the 10 year-old sorrel gelding, who has had a tough time lately, but with Kraut gave an excellent display to finish ahead of second placed Paul O’Shea with Machu Picchu and third placed Roberto Teran with Woklahoma.
To continue, of the 48 horse and rider combinations just 11 cleared the course designed by Alan Wade in round 1. Irishman Paul O’Shea was the first to register a time under 37 seconds clearing the course in 36.58 seconds but Kraut was faster and just as accurate registering a clear in 35.22 seconds to take the victory.
Third placed Roberto Teran from Colombia was the only other rider to register a time under 37 seconds riding home in 36.72 seconds.
Focusing back to Andretti S, the victory will be a big boost after a difficult time out on the side-lines because of respiratory problems which had to be resolved by undergoing surgery for the larynx.
Nonetheless, as of July the horse has been gradually working its way back to full fitness and demonstrated itself to be in fine form by winning the Fidelity Investments Classic with Kraut who places great importance on this jumper.
photo: Rebecca Walton/Phelpssports.com
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