Rival trainer calls American Pharoah a Triple Crown threat

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has gotten a good look at Bob Baffert’s one-two punch for the Kentucky Derby. Lukas longshot Mr. Z tangled with both halves of the juggernaut, finishing third, less than a neck behind Dortmund, in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity last December, and third, 8 3/4 lengths behind American Pharoah, in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby three weeks ago.

Along the way, Lukas has become one of American Pharoah’s most vocal supporters.

“In my opinion, American Pharoah was lengths ahead of Dortmund,” Lukas said of the morning-line favorite. “I have not been that impressed with a horse for a long time. We ran at him in Arkansas. We had a perfect trip. We ran right to his neck. And when Victor Espinoza just nudged [American Pharoah], he opened up four or five lengths on us, just, wham! And looking at the replay, he lengthened his stride, just cruised. That impressed the hell out of me.”

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Both American Pharoah and Mr. Z are owned by Zayat Stables, which also has El Kabeir, trained by John Terranova, in this Kentucky Derby. But American Pharoah is acknowledged as the best of the trio. When asked if he felt the colt is a Triple Crown threat, Lukas responded, “yes,” without elaboration or hesitation.

“Conformation-wise, just seeing him stand there, he doesn’t blow you away,” Lukas said. “But when he moves and gets in full flight, he’s got an amazing stride. And I like the way he’s able to go from good speed and then kick it like that. That breaks horses’ hearts.”