American Pharoah takes it easy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah was back on the racetrack at Churchill Downs on Thursday for the first time since a Tuesday workout that produced considerable buzz.

The colt just walked the Barn 33 shed row Wednesday, and his exercise routine for Thursday wasn’t much more strenuous. He went out for a very leisurely one-mile jog during the special training session reserved for Belmont prospects shortly after 8:30 a.m., with his neck bowed and in an eager prance. All seems perfect.

American Pharoah was scheduled to resume his daily gallops Friday, leading up to a final prerace work that trainer Bob Baffert has said will take place here Sunday or Monday, depending on the weather. The colt will be flown Tuesday morning to New York, with tentative takeoff from nearby Louisville International Airport scheduled for about 10:30.

The Weather Channel forecast every day from Thursday through Monday called for a 60 percent chance of rain in the Louisville area.