American Pharoah slated to work Sunday

DEL MAR, Calif. – American Pharoah, the Triple Crown winner, galloped for the second straight day Monday at Del Mar as he begins preparation for his next start. The next significant step is scheduled for Sunday, when American Pharoah is to have a workout, owner Ahmed Zayat said Monday at Del Mar.

American Pharoah won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on Aug. 2. Zayat has said he would like American Pharoah to make his next start in the Travers on Aug. 29 at Saratoga. Trainer Bob Baffert has been circumspect, preferring to see how American Pharoah trains over the next week-plus before making a commitment.

But American Pharoah seems to be progressing well. He galloped with enthusiasm on Monday under exercise rider Jorge Alvarez. American Pharoah also galloped on Sunday. He jogged Friday and Saturday after walking four straight days following the Haskell.

American Pharoah is scheduled to be retired at year’s end to Coolmore near Lexington, Ky. His final start is scheduled to be the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Coolmore bought the breeding rights to American Pharoah months ago, but Zayat gets to race him through the Breeders’ Cup.

Zayat on Monday said he has received lucrative offers to either not race American Pharoah anymore or to consider other races.

“The Irish,” he said, meaning Coolmore, “offered to buy me out.”

Zayat said Del Mar officials dangled the possibility of lining up corporate sponsors to have a $5 million race here. But Zayat is clearly hoping the Travers works out.

Zayat said he wants to race American Pharoah “until I can’t run him,” referring to his required year-end retirement.

“You live your whole life to have something like this,” Zayat said.