Pharoah Stays Out of the Rain

American Pharoah | Coady Photography

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert decided to play it safe with American Pharoah (Pioneerof Nile) Wednesday morning, opting to keep the Triple Crown winner, who arrived at Keeneland Tuesday, in the barn rather than send him out to train over a sloppy surface. The morning-line favorite for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday was tacked up and walked the shedrow for a half hour under regular exercise rider Jorgie Alvarez.

“It's been so incredible that I just want to make sure that when I lead him up there he's really sharp,” Baffert commented. “I feel the pressure every time he runs. When I send him out there, there is always a little pressure. This is different. I just want him to run his race. As long as he brings his 'A' game it is all I ask for. If he gets outrun, he gets outrun. I'm just giving him his opportunity. If he runs his race, we know how tough he is.”

Saturday will be the last time Baffert leads American Pharoah to the track. Instead of returning home to Baffert's California base, the sophomore will remain in Kentucky after the Breeders' Cup to take up stud duties at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Versailles, K.Y.

“I told them back at the barn 'Don't put anyone in that stall,'” Baffert remarked. “It's getting a little bit tough. I feel like his father and feel like he's my son, so I want to make sure he goes out there and puts on a good performance.”

The conditioner added, “It will be sad. It's going to be emotional. It started hitting me about a month ago, and it hits me when we talk about it. He's been terrific to me. Just watching him train now is [emotional] because I've never had a horse that looked like him. It's been an honor and a pleasure to train him.”

Baffert will continue to monitor the weather and the track conditions before deciding on American Pharoah's training schedule for Thursday.

“I have no plans now,” he said. “We'll make that call in the morning.”

Fellow Classic contenders Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Effinex (Mineshaft) also remained under the shedrow Wednesday morning.

 

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