American Pharoah Can Add to Legacy in Classic

When it's all said and done, American Pharoah will be known as a Triple Crown winner—those three words say it all—but make no mistake, a victory in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 31 at Keeneland in what will be his lone start against older horses would add to his legacy.

Already in North American racing's most exclusive club, a win Saturday would put him in the argument for greatest 3-year-old season ever.

Consider that an American Pharoah Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) win would register as one of the top wins by a Triple Crown winner in their 3-year-old season after sweeping the classics. It would be his first grade I win against older horses and second grade I score since his Triple Crown sweep after already taking the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park. 

How difficult is it to come back in top shape after sweeping the Triple Crown? None of the Triple Crown winners of the 1970s—when the grading system was in place--managed to win a grade I race on dirt after their classic sweeps. Secretariat is the only horse of the 1970s Triple Crown trio to earn a grade I at 3 in the fall, taking the 1973 Man o'War on turf at Belmont Park. In his lone grade I try on dirt that autumn, Secretariat finished second to Prove Out in the Woodward Stakes. 

Affirmed, of course, finished first in the 1978 Travers but was disqualified and placed behind Alydar. He then completed the year with two grade I starts against older horses at Belmont, finishing second to 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew in the Marlboro Cup Handicap and fifth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Seattle Slew finished fourth in the Swaps Stakes (gr. I) in his lone post-Triple Crown start at 3.

American Pharoah's owner Ahmed Zayat said after arriving Oct. 27 at Keeneland that Saturday's 1 1/4-mile race, where American Pharoah is the 6-5 morning-line favorite, is for the horse's legacy.

"Winning the Derby, we wanted for the Zayats. I just want to be selfish on that one; we wanted it for us," said Zayat, who before American Pharoah's win had three horses run second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). "The Triple Crown, I wanted that for the fans and for the sport. I want him to win Saturday's unbelievable race for Pharoah; to go out in a way that people will always remember him as a brilliant and kind horse."

Trainer Bob Baffert said American Pharoah already has ensured his legacy as a Triple Crown winner but Saturday's race is one more chance for him to show his greatness. Baffert said at this point most of the nerves he feels involve things he can't control, like racing luck.

"I feel the pressure every time he runs. This time is a little different. I just want him to run his race, get a good break, good trip," Baffert said. "If he runs his race, I know how good he is."

Among the other eight Triple Crown winners, some of the biggest post-classic scores registered in their 3-year-old seasons would include:

—Assault closing out the year with victories against older horses in the 1946 Pimlico Special at Pimlico Race Course and the Westchester Handicap. He defeated future Hall of Famer Stymie by six lengths in the Pimlico Special and Lucky Draw by two lengths in the Westchester, both at 1 3/16 miles. King Ranch's Assault suffered from a kidney ailment that contributed to a six-race losing streak after the Triple Crown before he closed the year in style. 

At the time, Blood-Horse noted that critics had questioned Assault's slow times even in his successful races that year but noted the horse ended on a high note, "at weight for age, Assault licked the stuffing out of Stymie at Stymie's distance," and "he did almost as good a job on Lucky Draw at Lucky Draw's distance. That makes him genuine in this corner--maybe not great, but close to it."

—War Admiral rolling to an easy victory against older horses in the Washington Handicap before closing out the season four days later with a win in the 1937 Pimlico Special to complete a perfect 8-for-8 season. 

Blood-Horse summed up his 1937 performance and the public's admiration for Samuel Riddle's son of Man o'War, "The Riddle star had got such a hold of the public imagination that winning by but two lengths, in near-record time, giving away 28 pounds, was considered a disappointing effort."

—Gallant Fox closing his season, and career, with three straight wins, including a three-length victory against elders in the 1930 Jockey Club Gold Cup. Before the season-ending win streak, the Belair Stud homebred finished second to Jim Dandy in the famous 1930 Travers upset. Blood-Horse noted that Gallant Fox won the Jockey Club Gold Cup with ease, adding to his record earnings.

As for today's earnings, an American Pharoah victory in the Classic would move him into fourth all-time in purse earnings among all North American-trained horses, behind only Curlin, Cigar, and Skip Away. He would complete the most lucrative 3-year-old season ever registered by a North American-based horse, passing current leader Smarty Jones who earned $7,563,535 in 2004. Smarty Jones earned $5 million from a bonus.

When bonuses are not considered, with $5,538,800 in purse earnings this year that American Pharoah already has earned are more than any North American-based 3-year-old in history. American Pharoah currently has $5,900,300 in career purse earnings.