Honor A. P. ($6.40) closed with a four-wide move on the turn and outfinished 1-2 Authentic in the stretch to win Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, confirming his status among the nation's leading 3-year-olds.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Honor A. P. ran 1 1-8 miles in 1:48.97, and finished 2 3-4 lengths in front of Authentic, who was beaten for the first time in his fourth start. Rushie (12-1) finished third, beaten 4 1-2 lengths, in his stakes debut, followed by Anneau d'Or, Shooters Shoot, Friar's Road and Azul Coast.

Authentic and Honor A. P. were first and second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1-16 miles on March 7, the most recent starts for both. 

Honor A. P., owned by Lee and Susan Searing's CRK Stables and trained by John Shirreffs, has won 2 of 4 starts. The $400,000 Santa Anita Derby was Honor A. P.'s first stakes win.