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Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) breezed six furlongs in 1:10.80 (1/8) at Santa Anita Tuesday morning in preparation for his career finale in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Oct. 31. (Video)
“This was the last serious drill of his life,” said conditioner Bob Baffert, who had American Pharoah galloping out seven furlongs on his watch in 1:23.20 and a mile in 1:37. “It's sort of sad in a way to think that's the last time we get to see him work like that. Just to watch him breeze, sometimes I get a bit excited, the way he does things so easily.”
Baffert added, “He looked fantastic today and I really feel good about the way he's coming into this race.”
With jockey Martin Garcia in the irons, the Zayat Stables colorbearer came on the track at 7:45 a.m. and jogged down the stretch from the quarter-mile chute accompanied by assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes aboard Smokey. Breaking free from the pony at the clubhouse turn, the hulking bay galloped toward the middle of the track and angled down to the rail.
“He's been galloping really good this week,” said private clocker Gary Young. “His work today was terrific. It was a carbon copy of his last work. He had the same workmate, the same plan of attack and the same finish. I think he's a great horse and he seems really, really 'right' at this time. He's going to be a very tough horse to beat on Halloween day.”
American Pharoah is expected to work in Arcadia once more Monday, Oct. 26 before flying to Lexington early the following day.
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