American Pharoah has first jog since winning Triple Crown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In his first day back training as a newly minted Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah went out for a routine jog Friday at Churchill Downs shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern, much to the satisfaction of his Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez was aboard American Pharoah for the one-mile, clockwise jog around a fast track. The exercise took all of eight minutes.

Afterward, Baffert held court with the media and reiterated the next start for American Pharoah has yet to decided, although he and owner Ahmed Zayat are in agreement the colt’s career-ending goal is the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” Baffert said.

Baffert said he is “amazed” how well American Pharoah exited his 5 1/2-length triumph last Saturday in the Belmont Stakes. The colt was flown here the following day and had been walking the shed row at Barn 33 on a daily basis prior to Baffert arriving here on a flight with his family from California late Thursday night.

“He still looks like a picture of health,” Baffert said. “It’s amazing with what he’s been through. I’m happy to see he’s still happy.”

American Pharoah was to resume a normal gallop regimen Saturday morning. On Saturday night, the colt and his connections were to be honored with a parade, trophy presentations, and oratory and video tributes during a Downs After Dark program featuring the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap.

Baffert was scheduled to return home Sunday with his wife, Jill, and son Bode. American Pharoah and his stablemates will be flown home Thursday, with assistant Jimmy Barnes reassuming oversight of the stable in Baffert’s absence.