American Pharoah ‘Looks Great’ Ahead Of Saratoga, Says Bob Baffert


American Pharoah will be heading to Saratoga, New York, on Wednesday. The Triple Crown winner is set to compete in Saturday’s Travers Stakes, a 1 and a quarter-mile race. According to CBS Local New York, the champion horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, said that the colt “looks great,” and is ready for his next big gig.

Many say that American Pharoah will be the favorite on Saturday, as he is still in his prime, and at the top of his game. The colt will be the fourth to win the Triple Crown, and then go on to compete in the Travers Stakes. If he wins, he will be the second horse to ever place first in all four races (the first was Whirlaway in 1941).

American Pharoah has raced since his victory at the Belmont Stakes. He won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, on August 2. His performance at the Haskell Invitational helped convince Bob Baffert that the colt has a good chance of winning the “Mid-Summer Derby” this coming weekend.

American Pharoah had his seven furlong workout on Sunday, and he did really well. He’s strong, healthy, and he’s ready to go.

“He looks great today. He was happy and he came out of it really well. He got new shoes today. He’s got his new Nikes on, so he’s ready,” said Bob Baffert, according to the Courier-Journal. Tomorrow, the horse will be put on a plane and fly from California to New York.

Whether he wins or not, many are excited just by the idea of having such a talented horse in their presence. As ESPN points out, American Pharoah is a legend — he’s a part of history. Horse racing aficionados are simply excited to see this horse at Saratoga, whether he wins or loses.

“In a town where horse racing already pushes the New York Yankees and New York Giants into the background for 40 summer days, he will be a powerful magnet for attention, as an industry starving for attention awaits a race that can be labeled special, even by Saratoga’s lofty standards.”

And while there are other horses that may be just as prepared as this brown beauty, all eyes will be on American Pharoah. He’s just special.

The post-position draw will take place on Tuesday night.

With jockey Victor Espinoza on his back, American Pharoah will take his position just before 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

Get ready to place your bets.

[Photo by Adam Hunger / Getty Images Sport]

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