Indian Chant (chestnut) earned a hard-fought score in the Aristides (Photo courtesy of Churchill Downs)

Maggi Moss' INDIAN CHANT (Suggest) survived an excruciating pace to hold off Noonmark (Unbridled's Song) by a head in Saturday's $119,125 Aristides S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. Sitting 3 1/2 lengths second behind Esperamos (Stormy Atlantic) through an opening quarter in :21, Indian Chant assumed control from that rival around the far turn, getting a half-mile in :43 3/5. Indian Chant drew off in the stretch by 1 1/2 lengths and had just enough in reserve to complete six furlongs in 1:08 2/5. Ridden by Jamie Theriot, Indian Chant returned $6.40, $3.40 and $2.60 as the close 2-1 second choice. Indian Chant keyed exotics of $26 (exacta), $63.20 (trifecta) and $137.40 (4-6-2-5 superfecta).

"It's a big win over a good bunch of horses, and we're thinking big things for this guy," trainer Tom Amoss said. "That's what we're going to do; we're going to point toward the bigger things. Obviously, he's not Breeders' Cup nominated, so I'm not going to step out there, but we're going to run in some big races and see where he fits with the group."

Noonmark, at 3-1, was easily second best, finishing 5 1/4 lengths ahead of 2-1 choice Elite Squadron (Officer). Noonmark returned $4 and $2.60, while Elite Squadron brought back $2.20. Kelly's Landing (Patton) was another 5 1/4 lengths back in fourth and ahead of Esperamos by nearly 16 lengths. Carnacks Choice (Carson City) was pulled up soon after the start and was vanned off.