American Pharoah might have public workout

ARCADIA, Calif. – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah might have a workout between races on the June 27 card at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.

American Pharoah, who was shipped Thursday from Kentucky to California, is scheduled to be at least paraded between races June 27, the day of the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Baffert said he wants to work American Pharoah that weekend and will speak with Santa Anita officials about the possibility of a public workout.

“That would be pretty cool,” Baffert said.

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American Pharoah has not had a workout since his historic win in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, when he became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. Owned by Ahmed Zayat, American Pharoah was paraded between races at Churchill Downs last Saturday in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

“They weren’t loud,” Baffert said of the audience. “They were taking pictures and getting close. That poor horse thought he was going over for the fourth leg [of the Triple Crown]. When he realized he wasn’t running, he relaxed.”