American Pharoah acts like fresh horse during jog

DEL MAR, Calif. – American Pharoah was eager for activity during a one-mile jog at Del Mar on Friday, the first exercise for the Triple Crown winner since a victory in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.

Shortly after 8 a.m., American Pharoah jogged a slow mile in a clockwise direction under exercise rider Jorge Alvarez. Staying close to the outside rail, American Pharoah went around the track at a leisurely pace and wanted to do more, Alvarez said later.

“He’s fresh,” Alvarez shouted to trainer Bob Baffert as he rode American Pharoah past a backstretch viewing stand overlooking the racetrack.

American Pharoah is expected to resume galloping this weekend, which would be fine with Alvarez. The former jockey said the victory in the Haskell, the eighth consecutive win for American Pharoah, was not a taxing race.

“That was no race for him,” Alvarez said. “It didn’t take much out of him. I’ve got to deal with him. He’s very happy.”

Alvarez has been the regular exercise rider for American Pharoah this year and traveled extensively with the popular colt through the Triple Crown series.

Owned by Ahmed Zayat, American Pharoah has won 8 of 9 starts and earned $5,630,300. Zayat and Baffert have not confirmed American Pharoah’s next start, but Zayat has stated a strong interest to run in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 29.