American Pharoah Pointed to Arkansas Derby

American Pharoah will return to Oaklawn Park for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 11, owner Ahmed Zayat said March 20.



The champion 2-year-old male of 2014 won his 3-year-old debut with an impressive front-running victory in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn March 14 and was flown back to his Southern California base March 16.

NOVAK: American Pharoah Romps in Rebel

Zayat said trainer Bob Baffert has already decided to return the son of Pioneerof the Nile   to the Hot Springs, Ark. oval for the 1 1/8-mile Triple Crown prep.



"That's been the plan," Zayat said. "Timing-wise, it works best. But also, we don't ship unless we're ready, and Bob thinks he's ready today. The horse has been on a tear."



Zayat said American Pharoah "galloped like a freight train" Friday morning at Santa Anita Park. He'll look to claim his fourth straight graded stakes victory in the Arkansas Derby.



American Pharoah joins Far Right, Bold Conquest, and The Truth Or Else, whose connections have also expressed interest in the Arkansas Derby.