American Pharoah Delivers Derby Dream for Zayat Stables

American Pharoah pulled away late to win the Kentucky Derby under Victor Espinoza on Saturday at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
LOUISVILLE – American Pharoah took the first step toward the greatness many project for him when he powered down the stretch to a one-length victory over Firing Line in the 141st Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Victor Espinoza, in securing his second consecutive Derby triumph and third overall, kept the 2-year-old champion in an ideal stalking position behind stablemate Dortmund. He swung extremely wide around the final turn when Espinoza called on him, but wore down Firing Line. Dortmund, who set a tepid pace, finished third, his first defeat in seven career starts.
The thrilling finish provided trainer Bob Baffert with his fourth Derby win and his first since he teamed with Espinoza for front-running victory with War Emblem in 2002. And it gave owner Ahmed Zayat, who established Zayat Stables in 2005 and quickly developed it into one of the nation’s premier racing operations, the breakthrough he dreamed of after three runner-up finishes in the run for the roses.
“This is one special horse,” Zayat said.
Said Baffert: “This American Pharoah, he keeps bringing it. He makes a trainer look really good. Thank God for good horses.”
American Pharoah earned his fifth consecutive victory since an inauspicious debut, with those wins coming by a combined margin of 23 ¼ lengths.
The combination of sparkling spring weather and world-class racing proved to be irresistible to fans. Churchill Downs announced a Derby day attendance record of 170,513, and a two-day mark of 294,276 when Friday’s Kentucky Oaks was included.
The Derby field was reduced to 18 starters when International Star, the Louisiana Derby winner, was scratched on Saturday morning. According to owner Ken Ramsey, the colt appeared to have an abscess or bruise in his left front foot.
International Star became the third entrant to drop out in as many days. Stanford was pulled from the race on Thursday after his trainer, Todd Pletcher, decided it was best to point him elsewhere. El Kabeir, winner of the Jerome and Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, was scratched on Friday afternoon with an injury to his left front hoof.
JOCKEY VICTOR ESPINOZA CELEBRATES WINNING THE KENTUCKY DERBY ABOARD AMERICAN PHAROAH

Photo by Eclipse Sportswire