Pharoah Breezes at Churchill

GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) breezed a half-mile in :48 flat Tuesday at Churchill Downs in his first work towards the GI Belmont S. June 6. With jockey Martin Garcia in the saddle, the Zayat colorbearer went in 1/8-mile splits of :12.20, :24, and :35.80 with five furlong gallop out in 1:00.40. Trainer Bob Baffert flew in from California Monday night to be on hand for the work. 

“I really like the way he went today,” Baffert said. “He showed like he had a lot of energy. When he hit the track I was on the radio talking to Martin and he really liked the way he felt and he just took off going really easily. I told Martin to just let him keep going. I really liked the way he went.” 

Baffert continued, “We’re just going to stay focused, keep the weight on him and keep him happy like the way he looks today. Next week, we’ll do sort of the same thing with him–just cruise him around real easily, ship to New York and we won’t do much with him up there.”

“He’s come back [from the Preakness] extremely well,” the trainer said. “He only had those two races [the Rebel and Arkansas Derby] and they were light races up at Oaklawn. The Derby was a hard race and I think it really got him fit. And the Preakness race, it looked like he handled that pretty well. He makes my job easier because he is such a good horse. Today went pretty good, he was pretty spectacular out there.” 

Garcia noted, “I’m really happy with what he did. He came back like [it was] nothing. He loves to run. He’s getting more mature and I think right now he’s starting to realize what’s going on and he likes it.” 

American Pharoah will breeze again Sunday or Monday, according to Baffert, who will return to Churchill next week to watch the work.