Indianapolis zoomed into the Kentucky Derby picture (Benoit Photos)

"We've always thought that he has that 'super-star' status and he showed it today," Baffert said.

"Now, he'll run in stakes races…From here on out, hopefully up to the first Saturday in May, we'll put him on a schedule that will stretch him out and hopefully we'll win some big races. Keeping him healthy and happy, that's all we can really do."

Indianapolis stalked just off the rail as Rockin Home led the four-horse field through a quick opening quarter in :21 4/5. After putting a head in front around the far turn to post a half-mile in :44 4/5, the son of Medaglia d'Oro inched away from his rivals at the top of the stretch. But the farther they went, the stronger he looked, powering home in 1:08 4/5 for the six-furlong test over the fast main track.

Papa Turf got up for second, while it was another 2 3/4 lengths back to Beach Hut in third. Rockin Home brought up the rear. Elmonte Cristo was scratched.

With Martin Garcia up, Indianapolis was sent off as the 3-5 favorite and paid his backers $3.20 for the win. The dark bay banked $46,200 in his first stakes victory to boost his bankroll to $73,200 from just two career starts. He broke his maiden by a length in his only start as a two-year-old on November 24 at Hollywood Park.