American Pharoah out for a jog

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In his final morning of training at Churchill Downs during what has been an historic spring, American Pharoah was sent out for a quick one-mile jog early Wednesday over a sloppy racetrack.

Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, had contemplated keeping the latest Triple Crown winner in the barn because of the rain. But during a lull at about 7 a.m., the colt was tacked up and sent to the track with regular exercise rider Jorge Alvarez aboard, going through his paces with deliberation and without incident.

Barnes initially had intended to send American Pharoah through a 1 1/2-mile gallop before the wet weather led to the slight alteration.

“There was no point (in galloping),” said Alvarez. “We want to take him home in one piece. No chances.”

American Pharoah was one of a handful of Baffert horses booked on an equine charter early Thursday out of Louisville International Airport. The horses were to arrive late in the morning at Ontario International Airport in Southern California, from where they were to be vanned to Santa Anita while accompanied by a police escort.

There is a chance American Pharoah will be back in Barn 33 at Churchill in the fall, assuming he makes it through a couple of prep races toward the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be run right up the road at Keeneland. Perhaps a couple dozen fans and media came out on this rainy morning to see him under tack for the last time before then.

Baffert and owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat have yet to announce the next start for American Pharoah but have said the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park is a good possibility. The colt became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years when capturing the June 6 Belmont Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths.