Champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile), last seen annexing the GI FrontRunner S. at Santa Anita Sept. 27, breezed a bullet six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 (1/36) at Santa Anita Friday. With regular rider Martin Garcia aboard, the bay galloped out seven furlongs in 1:22.80. The Zayat Stables homebred is set to return in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Mar. 14.
“He is ready,” owner Ahmed Zayat commented. “We know he is fast, but the way he did it today was so impressive. Very happy horse.”
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be attempting to win his fifth Rebel in the last six years with American Pharoah. A debut fifth as the 7-5 chalk in his Del Mar debut Aug. 9, American Pharoah blew the doors off in the GI Del Mar Futurity before his aforementioned win in Arcadia.
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