Del Mar Diaries: The Pharoah Flies

Normally the day after the Pacific Classic at Del Mar is a relaxed, lazy affair. This year, however, there was plenty to be excited about even after Beholder’s historic victory: Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was scheduled to breeze (which is horse racing speak for training at a rate approaching racing speeds) on Sunday morning. 
So it was with great excitement (but not a significant amount of rest) that I leapt out of bed this morning to head to Del Mar. I quickly packed my things and schlepped my luggage to the racetrack by about 6:30 to be sure that I would be there in plenty of time for Pharoah’s 7:45 a.m. workout. I’m glad I arrived early – there was already a huge crowd of people at the seaside track, jockeying for position along the rail and in the stands to ensure a good view of American Pharoah’s workout. 

I loved checking out the scene around me at Del Mar: there was this group, whose handsome poodle was just as intent on the action on the racetrack as his human companions: 

This lady had arrived in full American Pharoah regalia with this fantastic homemade hat:

And I even spotted Team Beholder watching the replay of last night’s Pacific Classic as they waited for the Pharoah to emerge.

Pretty soon, I caught sight of American Pharoah’s human connections of the Zayat family and trainer Bob Baffert, and I knew that the big horse would show up on the track soon.

Sure enough, right after Del Mar’s maintenance crew had finished resurfacing the track, dozens of Thoroughbreds arrived to take their morning exercise. Pharoah was right in the thick of things, accompanied by his faithful pony Smokey.

Jockey Martin Garcia was aboard American Pharoah for the breeze, and he gave the crowd a smile as they cheered for the Triple Crown hero as he passed.

Smokey then led American Pharoah a little further up the stretch at a trot; then the two horses and their riders turned around to begin the workout.

It was insanely busy on the racetrack this morning, so I was grateful that American Pharoah was in his personalized saddle towel and that Martin was wearing his signature crimson helmet, as it made it easy to spot the pair as they rounded the turn and flew toward the finish line in their workout.

As they drew closer to me, I was shocked both by how easily American Pharoah was traveling as well as with the speed of his work. He simply ate up the ground beneath him and motored past other workers like they were standing still.

In fact, see the horses American Pharoah passes in the stretch below? The guy in the blue cap inside of Pharoah is jockey Gary Stevens, who won the Pacific Classic yesterday on Beholder. Even he took notice as the Triple Crown winner blew by him!

Less than a second later, I fired off one last frame and then American Pharoah was gone, having completed a very impressive workout.

I immediately set out to the barn area, since I wanted to see how American Pharoah cooled out after his breeze (and also I just really like taking pictures of him!). When I arrived, there was already quite a crowd gathered around Bob Baffert’s stable area, watching with rapt attention as American Pharoah was hand-walked in circles to help him cool out after his exercise.

The people in attendance were really excited; this dog, however, was just not that into it. He must be more of a Texas Red guy, I guess.

American Pharoah continued to walk for a while, pausing occasionally to grab a drink of water. All the while, the Zayat family looked on.

Soon, Pharoah was cool enough to have a bath. As he was led to the wash stall, I noticed that the other horse being sudsed up was none other than Dortmund, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby.

He clearly wanted to be the star of the show, since he alternated sticking out his tongue with striking commanding poses for the assembled photographers and fans.

I love a horse with a sense of humor! 
As American Pharoah entered the wash stall, his longtime groom Eduardo whipped off his white cooler sheet and prepared to give his charge a good cleaning.

After giving Pharoah’s face a quick wash, Eduardo focused on the main part of the colt’s body as Mirta played with Pharoah to keep him entertained throughout bathtime.

A shower for Pharoah is a popular affair: there must have been 20 people there just to watch the Triple Crown winner get cleaned off, and I think each and every one of us were thrilled with the fact that we were able to do so.

After his bath was done and his cooling sheet put back on, American Pharoah took a few more laps around the barn area. Pharoah immediately mooched some carrots off of Dana Barnes, who’s one of the best riders Bob Baffert employs.

Then, the Zayat kids approached their star racehorse, giving him tons of praise, affection, and even more carrots. Pharoah is definitely a happy horse, and he definitely deserves a treat!

With that, I had to put my camera away and boogie to the airport to catch my flight back to New York. American Pharoah is now definitely confirmed for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga this coming Saturday, and I’ll be back soon to chronicle his attempt to win the Mid-Summer Derby.
Thank you for joining me throughout my Del Mar adventure, and I can’t wait to bring you more photoblogs from the Road to the Breeders’ Cup!