American Pharoah to Continue Racing, Target Breeders’ Cup Classic

American Pharoah (above winning the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes) will remain in training and target the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Claire Novak, @BH_CNovak
Content Provided by Blood-Horse
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will point for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic after all.
Despite comments following the colt's runner-up finish in the Aug. 29 Travers Stakes, which indicated he was considering retirement for American Pharoah, owner Ahmed Zayat announced Sept. 3 that after discussions with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, he will point to the Oct. 31 Classic at Keeneland Race Course.
“I have discussed all aspects of American Pharoah’s race last Saturday in the Travers—and his condition since the race—with our whole team, and have decided American Pharoah deserves another chance, so we are pointing to the Breeders’ Cup Classic,” Zayat told ESPN.com.
American Pharoah was three-quarters of a length behind Keen Ice in the Travers, his first loss of the season and only the second from 10 starts overall. The loss came on the heels of his Aug. 2 victory in the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes, a score made in easy, geared-down fashion.
“I am very confident in my decision,” Zayat told ESPN.com. “Not a moment has gone by since the race on Saturday when I have not thought about this decision. My initial concern right after the race was about American Pharoah’s condition, because he did not run his ‘A’ race. He has come out of the race in great shape. And after examining all the evidence and talking it over with our team—Bob Baffert, my son Justin [racing manager for Zayat Stables], [assistant trainer] Jimmy Barnes, and [jockey] Victor Espinoza—I believe there were a combination of factors that prevented American Pharoah from running his absolute best on Saturday. I have every confidence that he can run to his best again, and he deserves the chance to do so.”
Zayat told ESPN.com that he didn't know whether American Pharoah would be given a prep race before the Breeders’ Cup, and that Baffert would monitor the colt’s progress in the coming weeks before plans are finalized.
Should he run in the Breeders' Cup Classic as planned, American Pharoah would be the first U.S. Triple Crown winner to do so.
As previously announced, American Pharoah will enter stud at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., upon his retirement.
VALIANT IN DEFEAT: 2015 TRAVERS STAKES