It's on to Kentucky Derby for American Pharoah

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - American Pharoah will fly to Churchill Downs on Monday to begin final preparations for the Kentucky Derby, his trainer, Bob Baffert, said on Sunday, the day after the champion’s eight-length win in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

“He’ll have a real easy week,” said Baffert.

Going forward, Baffert said American Pharoah will probably have one work in advance of the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

American Pharoah earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 105 for his win in the Arkansas Derby. He raced off the pace under jockey Victor Espinoza, took the lead into the stretch, and won in hand while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.52.

“He delivered,” Baffert said. “I think what made more of an impression than just the margin was the way Victor was able to shut down, relax and settle off [leader Bridget’s Big Luvy]. He rated kindly.”

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays

American Pharoah’s previous three wins were races in which he set all the pace and prevailed.

American Pharoah races for his breeder, Zayat Stables, and he was the second Arkansas Derby winner for the ownership and Baffert. Their first came with Bodemeister in 2012.

Ahmed Zayat, owner of Zayat Stables, said in a conference call Saturday that American Pharoah is the best horse he has owned. He said he watched the race with his family while in Cancun, and was also in Cancun when Bodemeister won the Arkansas Derby.

Baffert won two stakes on the day at Oaklawn on Saturday. Wolf Man Rocket won his maiden in the $100,000 Northern Spur, which immediately preceded the Arkansas Derby.

“I’ve won two stakes with maidens in my career, him and American Pharoah,” Baffert said.

American Pharoah won his maiden in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity in his second career start Sept. 3.

Baffert said Saturday’s experience in the Arkansas Derby was made even more exciting by the stretch call of announcer Frank Mirahmadi.

“It was epic,” Baffert said. “It was one of his greatest calls.”

American Pharoah picked up 100 Kentucky Derby eligibility points for the Arkansas Derby win and now sits fourth overall in points with 160. Far Right, who was second, earned 40 points and is sitting 10^th on the list with 62. Mr. Z, third in the Arkansas Derby, earned 20 points and ranks 18^th on the list with 34, and Madefromlucky, who was fourth, earned 10 points to rank 21^st on latest rankings, with 30.

Far Right emerged from the Arkansas Derby in good order, according to his trainer, Ron Moquett. Moquett said Sunday that Far Right is scheduled to fly Monday to Churchill Downs to prepare for the Kentucky Derby.

Mr. Z also came out of the race well, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Sunday. He said current plans are to advance to the Kentucky Derby, with Mr. Z to ship Monday to Churchill Downs.

Madefromlucky is scheduled to travel to Keeneland on Monday, according to his trainer, Todd Pletcher. The trainer said he was pleased with the horse’s race Saturday, while plans for his next start are to be determined after talks with the horse’s ownership.

Madefromlucky races for Cheyenne Stables and Mac Nichol.

“I thought he finished up pretty well,” Pletcher said of the Arkansas Derby. “I think longer races will suit him. We’ll have to talk about whether one of those longer races could be the Kentucky Derby.”