HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The day after champion American Pharoah got his 3-year-old season off to an authoritative start with a 6 1/4-length win in the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, trainer Bob Baffert said he was pleased with how the race developed for the comebacking American Pharoah and how the horse emerged from the Rebel. American Pharoah was making his first start since a Sept. 27 win in the Grade 1 FrontRunner, and he set a controlled pace before pulling clear. He covered the 1 1/16 miles on a track downgraded to sloppy in 1:45.78. “I was afraid of running too hard and too fast off the layoff,” Baffert said. “He didn’t have to. Once he was in the first turn, he was galloping along. It was perfect.”  Following the race, in which American Pharoah stumbled out of the gate, he was found to have sprung his right front shoe a little bit, according to Baffert. The trainer said there were no issues with the foot Sunday. “He could have easily grabbed a quarter, but he didn't,” Baffert said. “He's in good shape today.” :: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays American Pharoah earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 100. He won for the third time in four starts and remained unbeaten at two turns with his win in the Rebel. Baffert said the champion’s attributes include an efficient stride, which was on full display Saturday. “He’s such a fluid mover,” Baffert said. “He just does it effortlessly.” Baffert said American Pharoah is to return to Santa Anita on Monday. His next start is to be determined, and it will be based on how he trains out of the Rebel, he said. American Pharoah is one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby and is sitting fifth on the latest points leaderboard with 60 after earning 50 for his win in the Rebel. “We’ll get him back, monitor him for the next 10 days,” Baffert said. “We have a lot of options, and we’re keeping them all open. At this point, the Arkansas Derby is probably our No. 1 option.”  The Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby will be run April 11 at Oaklawn. American Pharoah races for his breeder, Zayat Stables. Madefromlucky was making his stakes debut in the Rebel and stalked in third before rallying for second to American Pharoah. For his effort, Madefromlucky earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 89. “We thought he ran very well,” Pletcher said. “Obviously, we have a lot of respect for American Pharoah. I thought [Madeforlucky] was in a difficult race in terms of pace scenario and that type of situation. A prohibitive favorite loose on the lead through comfortable fractions is hard to beat. We’re proud of our horse’s effort.” Madefromlucky is returning to Palm Beach Downs, said Pletcher. He said the horse has options for his next start, chief among them the Arkansas Derby. Madefromlucky had won a maiden special weight route and a first-level allowance route, both at Gulfstream, leading up to the Rebel.