American Pharoah has 'perfect' half-mile work

DEL MAR, Calif. – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah “looked like the Pharoah we know,” trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday morning at Del Mar after a half-mile workout officially timed in 47.60 seconds, though it was more like a five-furlong drill with a six-furlong gallop out.

Regardless, the work – his first since a victory two weeks ago in the Haskell – indicated American Pharoah is holding his already-lofty form. Baffert said American Pharoah’s next work will come next weekend, “and then we'll decide what to do.”

The Travers Stakes on Aug. 29 at Saratoga is the first choice of Ahmed Zayat, owner and breeder of American Pharoah. On Sunday, Baffert said, “Eventually, every horse has to tail off a little,” but he said American Pharoah continues to do “everything pretty positive.”

American Pharoah came on the track at his usual time, just after the mid-morning renovation break that ends at 7:45 a.m. A crowd of several hundred was in the stands to witness the work.

“It’s pretty cool to see all these people here,” Baffert said.

The main track had lighter traffic than usual as Del Mar reserved the first 10 minutes after the break for American Pharoah and any older horses training for the Pacific Classic next Saturday. In fact, Baffert had Pacific Classic hopefuls Bayern and Hoppertunity out for gallops while American Pharoah worked.

American Pharoah worked with jockey Martin Garcia, his regular work rider. He began his run at the 4 1/2-furlong pole, but association clocker John Malone said he took American Pharoah from the half-mile pole to the wire with gallops out of five and six furlongs.

His fractions, according to Malone, were 12.40 seconds, 24.60, 35.80, and 47.60, with gallop-out times of 59.80 seconds and 1:13.60. As American Pharoah neared the finish line, he received an appreciative round of applause from the fans in the stands. American Pharoah's work was labeled breezing, the lone work of 186 dirt works Sunday at Del Mar so designated.

“He just galloped,” Garcia said via radio to Baffert after bringing American Pharoah to a halt.

Baffert called the work “perfect.”

“Went nice, like he always does,” Baffert said. “He was much more relaxed with the empty track. Sometimes he gets keyed up. He was nice and relaxed. It’s incredible he’s holding his form the way he is.”

Baffert said he “feels a little more pressure” with every start.

“I want to make sure he’s 100 percent wherever he goes,” Baffert said. “I’ve got a lot of responsibility to the horse-racing industry.”