ELIMINATION ROUND (#2, 15-1) dueled on a quick pace debuting on dirt in an MSW. Drop to $50K seems like a strongly positive sign given published $8K purchase price. Quietly solid pedigree for move to grass.
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American Pharoah will fly to Churchill Downs on Monday to begin final preparations for the Kentucky Derby, his trainer, Bob Baffert, said on Sunday, the day after the champion’s eight-length win in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby. Baffert said American Pharoah will probably have one work in advance of the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
AMERICAN PHAROAH solidified his position as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby on May 2 with this laughably easy win, his fourth straight since a debut loss that has become an outlier in an otherwise brilliant, flawless career.
Trainer Chad Brown saddles Delightful Joy in Sunday's Grade 3 Appalachian Stakes, a one-mile race ran on Keeneland's turf. Brown is winning 54 percent of his starts when switching from route to sprint, for a return on investment of $4.32.
Om makes his much-anticipated return in Sunday's San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita after winning by 7 1/4 lengths in a maiden race on Aug. 9 at Del Mar. The fifth- and sixth-place finishers – American Pharoah and Daddy D T – from that race came back to win their next starts.
Brian Sears capped off a brilliant night of Levy action on Saturday scoring with 13-1 outsider Heez Orl Black N in the final $50,000 division at Yonkers Raceway. Guiding the import trained by Anita Vallee, Sears sat patiently as Clear Vision and Lucan Hanover got involved in a wicked speed duel, then pounced in the stretch coming wide and sweeping the field in the 1:53 1/5 mile.
Wolf Man Rocket won his maiden in the $100,000 Northern Spur at Oaklawn Park on Saturday to give trainer Bob Baffert a 3-year-old stakes double on the closing-day card. The trainer also sent out American Pharoah to an eight-length win in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.
Home Journey had her mind on speed in Saturday’s $100,750 Las Cienegas Stakes at Santa Anita.
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American Pharoah cemented his status as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with a commanding eight-length win in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
Recount made his first start Saturday in the $50,000 Land of Lincoln Stakes since he won the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity on Sept. 6, and he definitely was ready for it.
