American Freedom seeks redemption in Alysheba for 2016 flop

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Coming off a gaudy debut win at Santa Anita in April 2016, American Freedom was a huge underlay when sent off at 7-5 in a field of 14 in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.

Off slowly in the bulky field, American Freedom finished sixth behind 13-1 winner Sharp Azteca.

“Here last year, we buried everybody,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He got off a little slow, he was chasing. I don’t think he likes that.”

On Friday, American Freedom returns from a seven-month layoff and to Churchill Downs, where he will face 10 opponents in the Grade 2, $400,000 Alysheba Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Following the Pat Day Mile, American Freedom made amends to some degree by winning the Sir Barton at Pimlico and the Grade 3 Iowa Derby in his next two starts. American Freedom finished second to Preakness winner Exaggerator in the Haskell at Monmouth before finishing a well-beaten second to stablemate Arrogate in the Travers.

Baffert said American Freedom emerged from the Travers body sore, and when it became apparent that he was not going to make the Breeders’ Cup, American Freedom was turned out.

Baffert had thought about running American Freedom in an allowance race at Santa Anita but said the horse was training so well that he decided to ship him here.

“I thought he’s going to run a big race,” Baffert said. “Figured I might as well bring him here.”

American Freedom could find himself in a scrum for the early lead, which could set things up for a horse like Honorable Duty, who brings a three-race winning streak into the race, including a neck victory in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap.

“We think he’s still got better to come, if you believe it,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “He’s training unbelievably well. I think the horse is getting better and better. He’s won his last three starts and has an air about him right now. He’s a very confident horse.”

Alysheba, Race 6

KEY CONTENDERS

Honorable Duty, by Distorted Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 105-97-97

◗ Has gone 3 for 3 and posted his three best Beyer Speed Figures since being gelded.

“Since we got him, I always thought he had tons and tons of talent,” Walsh said. “He’s bred to be a serious horse, but his mind was getting in the way. Since we gelded him and got the blinkers off him, he’s a sweeter horse.”

American Freedom, by Pulpit

Last 3 Beyers: 104-98-97

◗ Returns from a seven-month layoff in a modest field of older horses. Has been training superbly for the last month.

FORMULATOR Fact: Over the last five years, Baffert is 2 for 7 in route graded stakes with horses coming off a layoff of at least 180 days.

Breaking Lucky, by Lookin At Lucky

Last 3 Beyers: 104-80-106

◗ Looked to be on his way to a front-running score in the New Orleans Handicap before being run down by Honorable Duty in the final jumps.

◗ Finished second to Gun Runner in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap over this track last fall.