American Pharoah Continues Churchill Training

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner American Pharoah galloped 1 3/16 miles on the Churchill Downs main track May 24 under regular exercise rider Jorge Alvarez.



Jimmy Barnes, chief assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, said that the homebred son of Pioneerof the Nile   continues to train well and he's happy with the way the horse looks going into the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 6.



With Zayat Stables' Triple Crown hopeful on the Churchill grounds, along with other likely Belmont entrants, Churchill will offer a special 8:30-8:45 a.m. training period for those horses beginning May 25. Racing fans are invited to watch those colts train from the first floor of the facility free of charge.



Churchill will open its Gate 17 entrance between 8-9 a.m. each morning through June 2 so the public can view American Pharoah, along with Conquest Curlinate, Keen Ice, and War Story prepare for the 1 1/2-mile third jewel of the Triple Crown.



Those unable to attend can watch an online live stream of the daily exercises at www.kentuckyderby.com/workouts/live.



"Our switchboard has received a number of calls from avid fans looking to get a glimpse of American Pharoah and this is a great way to showcase the stars of our sport to an audience yearning for more," said Kevin Flanery, president of Churchill Downs racetrack. "It's always exciting to have a Kentucky Derby winner back in training at Churchill Downs, but it's extra special to have American Pharaoh here preparing for a possible sweep of the elusive Triple Crown. A big 'thank you' goes out to our local horsemen and staff for accommodating our request to host this special training period for the horses and fans."



Conquest Stables' Conquest Curlinate was also on-track Sunday morning. He jogged and galloped a mile under exercise rider Marco Cano for trainer Mark Casse.



Christopher Dunn, Glenn K. Ellis, and Ron Paolucci's War Story jogged a mile and galloped 1 1/2 miles with exercise rider Marvin Orantes up for trainer Tom Amoss.



Jerry Crawford's Keen Ice galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Faustno Agular for trainer Dale Romans.