Zayat Stables' American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) exited his runaway victory in Saturday's GII Rebel S. in good shape and is expected to return to Bob Baffert's California base Monday. “This horse, he does things effortlessly,” Baffert said Sunday. “It wasn't really taxing on him. It turned out all right. He didn't have go too fast early.” Baffert said is keeping his options open for the juvenile champion, but the Apr. 4 GI Santa Anita Derby and Apr. 11 GI Arkansas Derby are likely options. “We'll see how he is when he gets back [from Arkansas],” Baffert said of American Pharoah's next start. “We'll see how he's doing. We've got lots of options.” The Arkansas Derby is expected to draw Rebel third and fourth-place finishers Bold Conquest (Curlin) and The Truth or Else (Yes It's True).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
