Churchill trainers and jockeys sound-off on American
Pharoah’s Belmont chances
As Kentucky Derby (G1) and
Preakness S. (G1) winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) attempts to make history
in Saturday’s Belmont S. (G1) as the
first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, some of Churchill Downs’
horsemen gave their expertise on whether or not the three-year-old has what it
takes. Here’s what they had to say:
Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas: “I think he’ll win and
win easy. The thing that makes American Pharoah probably in a better position
than most of them in the past 30 years is the fact that he’s had two easy races
(Rebel [G2] and Arkansas Derby [G1]), one tough one (Kentucky Derby) and then
another easy one (Preakness). So he’s got that going for him.”
Trainer David Vance: “I like him. I haven’t seen a horse as good as
him since Secretariat.”
Trainer Neil Howard: “I think we all have the same feeling about him;
he’s just an amazing animal.”
Trainer Tom Amoss: “I think American Pharoah is up against
it. I think there are good horses that have been waiting for this spot. (Todd) Pletcher’s
horse Materiality (Afleet Alex), he’s got a proven formula for winning the
Belmont in his own backyard and certainly Frosted (Tapit) would be another one.
If he wins it, I won’t be rooting against him. It would prove he’s a great horse
that falls in the category of Secretariat and Seattle Slew.”
Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel: “I think he can do it. He’s the best
horse in the race. The only thing that he needs is a little bit of luck. He’s a
powerful horse, just looking at his dimension, it’s all there and the talent is
there. The big question is the distance.”
Trainer Jimmy Baker: “The way he breezed, I think he’ll be tough. He’s
got the demeanor, he’s got the talent, he’s got all the qualities of a Triple
Crown horse. He might go down as one of the best, you never know.”
Trainer Ron Moquett: “(American Pharoah is) the best horse in the
race. It’s just a matter of if he gets the right trip or not. It will take a
scenario to beat him — if Frosted presses him or if Materiality jumps on him
early on. If he loses, it will be a scenario that beats him, not a horse.”
Jockey Channing Hill: “The way he breezed out here, I don’t
see anyone beating him. Frosted could be tough since Belmont’s in Kiaran’s (McLaughlin) backyard, but Pharoah
is the best horse in the race.”
Trainer David Carroll: “I absolutely love the horse. To see him, in
person and then watch his breeze was absolutely awesome so I’m behind him. If he
can’t do it, I’ll be rooting for my man Dallas (Stewart) and Tale of Verve (Tale
of Ekati).”
Trainer Paul McGee: “I think that American Pharoah is going to be very
tough to beat on Saturday.”
Jockey Jesus Castanon: “I think he’s got it. We think about it every
year when a horse wins the Derby and then the Preakness and always think we got
a Triple Crown winner, but this horse has really proved a lot. He’s fresh and
doesn’t have very many races in his belly.”
Trainer Murat Sancal: “I like him. There is no one that I think can
beat him. The crop is not strong in my opinion.”
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