Champions American Pharoah, Beholder work toward comebacks

The champions American Pharoah and Beholder worked Friday at Santa Anita.

American Pharoah, the champion 2-year-old male of 2014, worked seven furlongs in 1:23.80. Trained by Bob Baffert, American Pharoah is scheduled to have his first start of the year March 14 in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Owned by Zayat Stables, American Pharoah has not raced since winning the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita last September. He missed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here last November because of injury.

Beholder worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 for a scheduled comeback in April. Trained by Richard Mandella, Beholder was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2012 and champion 3-year-old filly of 2013.

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Beholder has not raced since winning the Grade 1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita last September. She missed the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 31 because of illness.