American Pharoah's Options Open After Rebel
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American Pharoah came out of his commanding 6 1/4-length victory in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park "perfect," trainer Bob Baffert said March 15.
NOVAK: American Pharoah Romps in Rebel
The Hall of Fame conditioner also noted that the next race for last year's champion 2-year-old male could be back at his Santa Anita Park home base for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 4 or a return to Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 11. Both purses for the Triple Crown preps are $1 million.
"We'll see how he is when he gets back," Baffert said of Zayat Stables' homebred Pioneerof the Nile colt, who is scheduled to return to California March 16. "We'll see how he's doing. We've got lots of options."
Although the Santa Anita Derby would most likely feature undefeated stablemate Dortmund, the trainer said he wouldn't rule out the West Coast's premier classic prep.
"We never rule anything out," Baffert said.