American Pharoah Stakes should sort out division leaders

ARCADIA, Calif. – Perhaps order will be restored to the California 2-year-old division Friday when a diverse field stretches to 1 1/16 miles in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita.

The route race follows a perplexing seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity in which two runners, including odds-on Eight Rings lost riders at the break. The 35-1 upset winner Nucky recorded the lowest winning Beyer Speed Figure in the history of the Grade 1 Futurity, a 68.

Collusion Illusion would have been a Futurity contender, but he did not run. Trainer Mark Glatt opted not to squeeze the colt, who started twice during the Del Mar meet, including a victory in the Grade 2 Best Pal.

“If I had a crystal ball and knew the Futurity was going to end up like it did, and I wasn’t going to be in the one-hole, it certainly looked like a race he would have won, or had a good chance to win,” Glatt said.

Collusion Illusion gets his chance Friday as one of many contenders in the $300,000 American Pharoah, a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

The lineup also includes Eight Rings, whose 94 debut Beyer is the third-highest by a North American juvenile this year; Express Train, a maiden route winner by more than 14 lengths; and the exciting American Theorem, impressive debut sprint winner with a two-turn physique.

The others are Storm the Court, a debut winner before being slammed by Eight Rings and losing his rider in the Del Mar Futurity; Nucky and Defense Wins, one-three in the Futurity; Shoplifted, a Grade 2-placed New York shipper; and stakes winner Fore Left.

The first crop of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is racing this year, and it would be appropriate for one of his sons to win the race that bears his name. American Theorem is by American Pharoah, and his looks match his pedigree.

“He’s a big, gangly horse,” trainer George Papaprodromou said. “I think he really wants to go long. The farther he goes, the better it is for him the way he trains.”

American Theorem was favored first out, going 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 31 at Del Mar. He raced behind horses, took dirt, weaved through traffic, angled outside, and won clear. American Theorem galloped out far in front. His 83 Beyer was solid, and he ran like he wants more ground.

“After he changed leads, you could see him taking off,” Papaprodromou said. “The most impressive thing was the gallop-out. That’s what I kind of got all excited about.”

American Theorem’s challenge Friday is winning a Grade 1 route in only his second start, which Gormley did when he won this race (then named the FrontRunner Stakes) in 2016.

Eight Rings adds blinkers and is likely to set or press the pace along with front-runner Nucky. The pressers include American Theorem, Collusion Illusion, and Express Train. The American Pharoah is race 8 on a nine-race opening-day card.

KEY CONTENDERS

American Theorem, by American Pharoah

Beyer: 83

◗ He was purchased as a yearling for $200,000 one day after bidding stalled at $190,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale. American Theorem is owned by the Kretz Racing Stable of Rustin Kretz.

◗ The colt’s jockey, Tiago Pereira, has been breezing the colt since he entered training.

◗ He wore blinkers first out because the race was only 5 1/2 furlongs. He will remove blinkers Friday.

Collusion Illusion, by Twirling Candy

Beyers: 83-69

◗ Purchased as a 2-year-old for $300,000 at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s sale, his even-paced style suggests two turns will be fine for him.

◗ The key is how he relaxes under Joe Talamo.

“He relaxes well sprinting, but when you stretch them out, they can’t be pulling early,” Glatt said. “Hopefully. he won’t be a little bit rank like a lot of them do [in their first start going long]. He’s a pretty sensible horse, so I think he’ll be all right.”

Eight Rings, by Empire Maker

Beyers: NA-94

◗ The fastest horse in the field based on his debut Beyer, Eight Rings ducked in and lost his rider soon after the break as the 1-2 favorite in the Del Mar Futurity. A $520,000 yearling purchase, he will be fitted with blinkers for the first time in a race after having worn them in both recent works.

◗ Trainer Bob Baffert has won the American Pharoah eight times. The race previously was called the Norfolk and then the FrontRunner.

◗ John Velazquez replaces Drayden Van Dyke in the saddle.

Express Train, by Union Rags

Beyers: 83-79

◗ John Shirreffs trains Express Train, the only starter with route experience. Runner-up in his debut to Eight Rings, Express Train stretched to a mile second out and won by more than 14.

◗ Shirreffs backed off Express Train after the maiden win and will use the American Pharoah as a prep.

◗ Mike Smith rides the $500,000 yearling.