Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) breezed a half-mile in :47.60 under Martin Garcia at Del Mar Sunday (click here to watch the work). The official fractions were :12.40, :24.60, :35.80 and :59.80 and 1:13.60 on the gallop out. The track, which was closed between 7:45 and 7:55 a.m. for American Pharoah and Pacific Classic runners, had an estimated 800 onlookers in the grandstand.
“He went nice; like he always does,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I think this empty track today allowed him to relax some. When he's got horses all around him, he gets keyed up.”
“It went super good,” Garcia said. “Bob just told me to work him like we usually do and make sure we get a little bit out of it. He was just cruising. It's like he's still getting better and better. This horse is unbelievable.”
The connections are still undecided as to where American Pharoah will make his next start. Saratoga's GI Travers S. Aug. 29 is a likely candidate.
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