American Pharoah ‘Spectacular’ in Drill for Belmont Stakes

American Pharoah works at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Belmont Stakes. (Photos courtesy of Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)
Preparations for the Belmont Stakes shifted gears on Tuesday as Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner American Pharoah turned in his first timed workout since he won the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on May 16.
American Pharoah, who shipped back to Churchill Downs from Pimlico Race Course after his Preakness victory, drilled a half-mile in :48 on a fast track at Churchill on Tuesday morning. Martin Garcia flew in for the 8:30 a.m. workout.
American Pharoah galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.40 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.20.
“I’m really happy with what he did.” Garcia said. “He came back like [it was] nothing. He loves to run. He’s getting more mature and I think right now he’s starting to realize what’s going on and he likes it.”
Even though Victor Espinoza has the mount aboard American Pharoah, Garcia, his regular exercise rider, has confidence that the son of Pioneerof the Nile has what it takes to be the next Triple Crown winner. Garcia explained how the horse has developed and matured.
AMERICAN PHAROAH GALLOPING TUESDAY

“The way he’s been running and the things he has done, he’s done very easily and I think he’s going to make it,” he said. “Before, he was green and he really didn’t know what was going on. He’s starting to realize what is [going on] now. He’s learning really well.”
Trainer Bob Baffert arrived in Louisville on Monday night to oversee the Triple Crown hopeful train, and he was very happy with the American Pharoah’s workout.
“I really like the way he went today,” Baffert said. “He showed like he had a lot of energy. When he hit the track, I was on the radio talking to Martin [Garcia] and he really liked the way he felt and he just took off going really easily. I told Martin to just let him keep going. I really liked the way he went.
“We’re just going to stay focused, keep the weight on him and keep him happy like the way he looks today. Next week, we’ll do sort of the same thing with him – just cruise him around real easily, ship to New York and we won’t do much with him up there.”
Baffert came close to winning the Triple Crown three times with Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002). He says that he is enjoying going into the Belmont with American Pharoah more than the other three.
 “Before, I felt that there was more pressure,” Baffert said. “But now I’ve been through it, I know what to expect and I know that at the end of the day you need a good horse and you have to be doing really well. As for what I saw today, I don’t see any regression. We don’t want to see regression, but he’s still going to have to run a top race.
AMERICAN PHAROAH GETS A BATH

“He’s come back [from the Preakness] extremely well. He only had those two races [the Rebel and Arkansas Derby] and they were light races up at Oaklawn. The Derby was a hard race, and I think it really got him fit. And the Preakness race, it looked like he handled that pretty well. He makes my job easier because he is such a good horse. Today went pretty good, he was pretty spectacular out there.”
Baffert admitted that he didn’t think he would get a shot at another Triple Crown, which he said is another reason why he’s enjoying this. He also talked about his relationship with owner Ahmed Zayat and his family.
“I never thought I’d have another chance like this,” Baffert said. “To be going through it again with a horse like this is a ‘wow’ moment every time I think about it, but I try not to think about it too much. For the Zayats, this is a great ride for them. One thing about Ahmed Zayat is he is the best family man you’ll ever see; he and those kids are so tight and so close so they’re really enjoying this together. I can tell that it’s a super family affair and he’s always been so good to us.”
In other Belmont Stakes news, War Story will bypass the Belmont and instead target the $500,000 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 20. 
Possible Belmont Stakes Field

Horse

Trainer

Most Recent Race

American Pharoah

Bob Baffert

Won Preakness

Carpe Diem

Todd Pletcher

10th in Kentucky Derby

Conquest Curlinate

Mark Casse

2nd in Peter Pan Stakes

Frammento

Nick Zito

11th in Kentucky Derby

Frosted

Kiaran McLaughlin

4th in Kentucky Derby

Keen Ice

Dale Romans

7th in Kentucky Derby

Madefromlucky

Todd Pletcher

Won Peter Pan Stakes

Materiality

Todd Pletcher

6th in Kentucky Derby

Mubtaahij

Mike de Kock

8th in Kentucky Derby

Tale of Verve

Dallas Stewart

2nd in Preakness