Rebel turns out perfectly for American Pharoah

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – In the aftermath of champion American Pharoah starting his 3-year-old season Saturday with a 6 1/4-length win in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, trainer Bob Baffert said he was pleased with how the race developed for the comebacking American Pharoah and how the horse emerged from the Rebel.

American Pharoah was making his first start since a Sept. 27 win in the Grade 1 FrontRunner. He set a controlled pace before pulling clear in the Rebel, covering the 1 1/16 miles on a sloppy track in 1:45.78.

“I was afraid of running too hard and too fast off the layoff,” Baffert said Sunday. “He didn’t have to. Once he was in the first turn, he was galloping along. It was perfect.”

American Pharoah stumbled out of the gate, and was found to have sprung his right front shoe, according to Baffert. The trainer said there were no issues with the foot on Sunday.

“He could have easily grabbed a quarter but he didn’t,” Baffert said. “He’s in good shape today.”

American Pharoah earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100 in the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel. He was winning for the third time in four starts, and remained unbeaten at two turns.

“He’s such a fluid mover,” Baffert said. “He just does it effortlessly.”

Baffert said American Pharoah was to fly back to Santa Anita on Monday. The horse’s next start will be based on how he trains out of the Rebel, said Baffert. American Pharoah is one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby, and is sitting fifth on the latest points leaderboard with 60, after earning 50 for his win in the Rebel.

“We’ll get him back, monitor him for the next 10 days,” Baffert said. “We have a lot of options, and we’re keeping them all open. At this point, the Arkansas Derby is probably our number one option.”

The Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby will be run April 11 at Oaklawn.

American Pharoah races for his breeder, Zayat Stables.

Madefromlucky was making his stakes debut in the Rebel and stalked in third before rallying for second to American Pharoah. Madefromlucky earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

“We thought he ran very well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Obviously, we have a lot of respect for American Pharoah. I thought [Madeforlucky] was in a difficult race in terms of pace scenario, and that type of situation. A prohibitive favorite loose on the lead through comfortable fractions is hard to beat. We’re proud of our horse’s effort.”

Madefromlucky was to return to Palm Beach Downs in South Florida, according to Pletcher. The Arkansas Derby is the likely next start for Madefromlucky, he said. Madefromlucky had won a maiden special weight route and a first-level allowance route, both at Gulfstream, leading up to the Rebel.

Mr. Z works without blinkers

Mr. Z and Majestico worked in company first set after the renovation break Monday at Oaklawn, breezing five furlongs in 1:02 on a track rated good. Mr. Z, prepping for the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, worked without blinkers. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said he is considering running Mr. Z in the Louisiana Derby without blinkers. Majestico is targeting the Transylvania at Keeneland, said Lukas.

Magic of Believing, entered in the Spiral on Saturday at Turfway, also breezed in company right after the break. His connections called in a five-eighths work, but because of limited visibility at the hands of shifting fog, clockers could only time the final quarter of the drill and had him in 24 seconds.