Sherack at the Derby: ‘Pharoah’ Fires Warning Shot

With temperatures struggling to exit the mid-40s on an unseasonably chilly and overcast morning, the action immediately began to percolate on the Churchill Downs backside outside of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s barn as championAmerican Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) readied for his final GI Kentucky Derby breeze. 

Accompanied by his wife Jill, Baffert, bloodstock agent Donato Lanni and owner Bernie Schiappa drove off to the grandstand in a white Buick while the growing crowd stayed back as the Zayat homebred continued to walk the shedrow at 8:20 a.m. 

Far Right (Notional), a distant second behind American Pharoah in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 11, made his way through the congested area–nothing new for him if you’ve watched some of his recent races–and patiently stood like a gentleman, taking in the scenery with his ears pinned forward as another crowd began to form by the gap. 

American Pharoah, meanwhile, was on the move back at Barn 33 at 8:35 a.m. just as an announcement was made over the public address system that the main track was re-opened for only the Derby and Oaks runners. 

Plenty of the Oaks fillies immediately caught the eye. 

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez was aboard the speedy Condo Commando (Tiz Wonderful), a last out winner of the GII Gazelle S. at the Big A, for her daily routine as the Larry and Cindy Jones-trained powerhouse duo of I’m A Chatterbox(Munnings) and Lovely Maria (Majesticperfection) got ready to breeze. The affable husband-and-wife team ponied the pair–Larry stayed with I’m A Chatterbox while Cindy accompanied Lovely Maria–prior to their respective five-furlong moves. 

Donegal Racing’s Jerry Crawford was on hand to watch Oaks contender and Gazelle runner-up Puca (Big Brown)’s four-furlong breeze while Hall of Famer Bill Mott kept close tabs on the bay from aboard his stable pony. Donegal will also be represented by Keen Ice (Curlin) in the “Run for the Roses.” He walked the shedrow Sunday after breezing the previous day. 

Live Derby longshot Danzig Moon (Malibu Moon), one of the better looking physicals on display Sunday, galloped with good energy with his neck arched after recording a four-furlong workout here Friday. Bold Conquest (Curlin), currently on the outside looking in (will need a pair of defections to make the field), was under a nice hold by Abel Flores throughout his 1 1/2-mile gallop. 

The stage was all American Pharoah’s on Sunday, though. 

The sound of camera shutters took over as regular rider Martin Garcia turned American Pharoah loose down the backstretch en route to a sparkling five-furlong bullet in :58.40 (1/32). 

The Heiligbrodts, represented by Saturday night’s William Walker S. winner Cinco Charlie (Indian Charlie) on the opening day card at Churchill, were among American Pharoah’s many admirers back at the barn. 

Newly appointed Monmouth Park track announcer Frank Mirahmadi, who, of course, called American Pharoah’s two runaway wins at Oaklawn this term, later joined the Baffert entourage as well. 

Ahmed and Justin Zayat checked in on the big horse shortly after 9 a.m. while the three-time Kentucky Derby winning conditioner headed back to the track to watch another set train. 

With training hours winding down, Baffert and the Zayats held a brief outdoor press conference on the backstretch. How did the misspelling of American Pharoah’s (phar-aoh) name come about anyway? 

The younger Zayat revealed that the name, submitted by a fan on social media, was simply copied/pasted and sent to The Jockey Club with the blunder going unnoticed. 

Grammar aside, American Pharoah’s page is looking quite pristine these days as he heads to the Derby as the potential favorite.