Sent off the 16-5 second favorite to build on a front-running maiden victory over course and distance in his turf debut Dec. 19, Calumet Farm homebred Kentucky Pharoah (American Pharoah) repeated the dose Saturday, earning his first stakes success in the Dania Beach S. at Gulfstream.
Quickly into stride from gate two, Kentucky Pharoah had early company to his inside in the form of favored Fighting Force but was intent on rolling forward and was a clear leader turning up the backstretch. Bowling along at a good clip while racing a touch keenly, Kentucky Pharoah settled better on the turn and had plenty left for the final couple of furlongs, proving a comfortable winner in the end.
Kentucky Pharoah was off the board and beaten by double-digit lengths in his first two tries on dirt at Keeneland Oct. 24 and Churchill Nov. 15.
Kentucky Pharoah is the 13th black-type winner for his Triple Crown-winning stallion. The winner's dam is also represented by a Gun Runner filly of 2019 and a Mr Speaker filly of 2020. She was bred to Goldencents for 2021.
“Fantastic ride,” winning trainer Jack Sisterson said. “We really put it in Kentucky Pharoah's hands whether he could come back in two weeks. He's energetic. He was either going to breeze [Sunday] at Palm Meadows, and he probably would have breezed too quick, so why not run him instead.”
DANIA BEACH S., $75,000, Gulfstream, 1-2, 3yo, 1mT, 1:34.07, fm.
1–KENTUCKY PHAROAH, 118, c, 3, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Strut the Course (Ch. Older Mare-Can,
MGSW, $1,035,035), by Strut the Stage
2nd Dam: Bold Course, by Trajectory
3rd Dam: Bold Courant, by Bold n' Flashy
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Jack
Sisterson; J-Julien R. Leparoux. $46,035. Lifetime Record:
4-2-0-0, $72,819.
2–Fighting Force, 118, c, 3, Air Force Blue–No Splits, by Smart
Strike. ($55,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV; $100,000 RNA Ylg '19
KEESEP; $400,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR). O-Michael B. Tabor, Mrs.
John Magnier & Derrick Smith; B-Royal oak Farm LLC, et. al.
(KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $14,850.
3–Cave Hill, 120, c, 3, Frosted–Painted Lady, by Broad Brush.
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $7,425.
Margins: 3, 3/4, NK. Odds: 3.20, 0.60, 8.80.
Also Ran: Lauda Speed, It's a Gamble, Omaha City. Scratched: Like a Saltshaker.
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