Jeremy Balan 9y

American Pharoah set for debut

Horse Racing

American Pharoah may be more than ready to make his 3-year-old debut.

The Zayat Stables-owned son of Pioneerof the Nile worked an eye-catching seven furlongs in 1:23 4/5 Feb. 27 at Santa Anita Park, in preparation for the $750,000 Rebel Stakes March 14 at Oaklawn Park.

"He was very impressive," trainer Bob Baffert said. "He got a little tired last week when we worked him at [six furlongs], but week by week, he keeps getting stronger.

The champion 2-year-old male of 2014 hasn't raced since a 3-1/4-length victory in the FrontRunner Stakes Sept. 27 because of a foot bruise, but his time Friday morning was the fastest workout for that distance at Santa Anita since stablemate Dortmund covered the seven furlongs in 1:23 2/5 Jan. 21. Dortmund also ran seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5 Feb. 26.

"I just told [jockey Martin Garcia] to cruise him around," Baffert said. "He did it the right way. I wasn't surprised about it. That's just him. He's shown signs of brilliance in the past."

^ Back to Top ^