El Kabeir takes on older rivals in Bold Ruler
The Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap for sprinters and the Chelsey Flower Stakes for 2-year-old fillies highlight the final Saturday program at Belmont Park’s fall meet.
Dave LitfinOct 29, 2015
The Grade 3 Bold Ruler Handicap for sprinters and the Chelsey Flower Stakes for 2-year-old fillies highlight the final Saturday program at Belmont Park’s fall meet.
American Pharoah’s farewell on Saturday in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland will mark a bittersweet moment. What he does with the moment in the face of tough opposition remains to be seen. No matter what happens, though, the handsome colt with the unflappable air will waltz into the sunset having made an impact on the game that soared higher and farther into the cultural atmosphere than any Thoroughbred since the days of Secretariat.
American Pharoah was bred and is owned by Ahmed Zayat, whose son Justin, manages the family’s stable. His trainer is Bob Baffert, who is assisted by Jim Barnes. His regular jockey is Victor Espinoza. Jockey Martin Garcia, who rode American Pharoah in his first start, has been his regular rider for workouts. Jorge Alvarez is his exercise rider, and Eduardo “Lalo” Luna is his groom.
Despite the scratch of Beholder from the Breeders’ Cup Classic, there are many compelling aspects to Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup races, foremost among them American Pharoah trying to close out his career with a victory, and Golden Horn trying to add the Turf to his victories in the Arc and the English Derby.
While his connections clearly wish no rain had fallen at Keeneland this week, Golden Horn won’t be taken out of Saturday’s $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf, provided there’s no further significant precipitation before the race, trainer John Gosden said Thursday.
If Triple Crown winner American Pharoah runs like he should, I think he runs the others out of the race and he may be the one posting a 115 Beyer Speed Figure in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic. If, for some reason, he is over the top, then quick fractions could set up a big figure like they did for Honor Code (113) in the Whitney.
American Pharoah’s racing career began in California, his preps toward the Kentucky Derby began in Arkansas, and he has raced at eight tracks in six states in three time zones, but now, the circle finally is complete. He has returned to Kentucky, the state of his birth, to close out his racing career Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland before starting a new life as a stallion.
Stormdriver has risen up out of the $30,000 claiming ranks to establish himself as one of the top older runners in Louisiana, and the sharp form he’s built this year makes him the one to beat Saturday night in the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs.
Trainer Barclay Tagg said Thursday that Tale of S’avall most likely would be scratched from Saturday’s Juvenile at Keeneland.
As if he needed any more help, American Pharoah figures to hold a huge tactical edge in a Classic surprisingly devoid of early speed in the absence of Liam’s Map and now Beholder. American Pharoah is 4 for 4, by a combined 23 lengths, in races where he’s been a length or more clear after half a mile. Nonetheless, I am going to try to beat him.