American Pharoah gets back to work

Last updated: 2/2/15 2:55 PM

American Pharoah is slated to return in the Rebel
(Benoit Photo)

Last year’s champion two-year-old male American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile),
who was

sidelined by injury just prior to the Breeders’ Cup, returned to the worktab
at Santa Anita Monday morning. Under Martin Garcia, the Bob Baffert trainee
toured three furlongs on the fast track in :36 1/5.

Baffert has penciled in the March 14 Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park as his
comeback. Hence American Pharoah is scheduled to take the two-prep route to the
May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Zayat Stables homebred was upset as the 7-5 favorite in his career debut
at Del Mar, where he wound up fifth behind Om (Munnings). But Baffert kept the
faith in American Pharoah and pitched him into the Del Mar Futurity (G1).

Shedding the blinkers he’d worn at first asking, American Pharoah dominated
in wire to wire fashion by 4 3/4 lengths over Calculator (In Summation). The 1-2
favorite when stretching out to 1 1/16 miles in the September 27 FrontRunner
(G1) at Santa Anita, he again led throughout and kicked 3 1/4 lengths clear of
Calculator.

That made American Pharoah the early favorite for the November 1 Breeders’
Cup Juvenile (G1), but he was unfortunately withdrawn due to a “deep bruise in
his left front.” Calculator also ended up missing the Juvenile with a setback.
Texas Red (Afleet Alex), the colt who had finished third in the FrontRunner,
roared from off the pace to win the Juvenile by 6 1/2 lengths.

In a tight Eclipse Award vote (126 to 111), American Pharoah was honored as
the divisional champion over Texas Red. The two were named co-highweights at 126
pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap that was revealed last Thursday.

American Pharoah resumed training on the Santa Anita track around the turn of
the New Year. As he built up toward his first work, Calculator came back to romp
in the Sham S. (G3), only to be knocked off the Triple Crown trail due to
injury. Texas Red has also returned to action, missing by a neck in Sunday’s San
Vicente (G2).

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