Cafe Pharoah

When Maximum Security (New Year's Day) touched down in Saudi Arabia last week, a new chapter began for the horse that had a star-crossed 2019. On Saturday, he will face the stiffest challenge of his career in the inaugural running of the $20-million Saudi Cup. It's a race that will answer a lot of questions, but don't be surprised if the end result is an emphatic win from last year's 3-year-old male champion. While Maximum Security had a strong 3-year-old campaign, his year was remembered more for what didn't happen...

Making his first start since a towering 10-length graduation over nine furlongs on his Dec. 14 debut at Nakayama, Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), one of six winners from seven Japanese runners for his Triple Crown-winning stallion, bombed the start of Sunday's Listed Hyacinth S. at Tokyo, but gradually worked his way into contention and sprinted hard in the final furlong to score by 1 1/4 lengths. He is the sixth first-crop stakes winner for American Pharoah. Favored at just over even money, the $475,000 OBS March acquisition by Emmanuel de...

Though it is missing its would-be favorite Dieu du Vin (Jpn) (Declaration of War), Sunday's Listed Hyacinth S. at Tokyo--the third of four races on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby--has attracted a solid group of 3-year-old dirt runners, including two of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah's six Japanese winners. Cafe Pharoah, a $475,000 acquisition out of last year's OBS March Sale, attracted the services of the visiting Ryan Moore for his nine-furlong unveiling at Nakayama Dec. 14 and the son of Paul Pompa, Jr.'s talented MGSW Mary's Follies...