Baffert Impressed by American Pharoah Work
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Zayat Stables' American Pharoah continued to work in preparation for his 3-year-old debut the morning of Feb. 15 at Santa Anita Park.
The champion 2-year-old male by Pioneerof the Nile ran five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 under jockey Martin Garcia.
"Very impressive. He was breezing," said trainer Bob Baffert, who has said earlier he is leaning toward the $750,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) on March 14 at Oaklawn Park for American Pharoah's return, instead of the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita March 7.
Out of Yankee Gentleman mare Littleprincessemma, the colt has three recorded works since missing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) because of a suspensory-related injury.
He hasn't raced since an impressive 3 1/4-length victory in the FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Sept. 27, which followed a maiden-breaking win in the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) in his second start Sept. 3. American Pharoah has earned $361,500.