Triple Crown winner American Pharoah was given a favourable draw for what will be the final race of his career, when he attempts to add this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Classic to his glittering trophy haul.
American Pharoah, who became the first horse to win the fabled Triple Crown for 37 years with victory in the Belmont Stakes earlier this year, was drawn in gate number four for Saturday’s race at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Bob Baffert-trained horse is bidding to complete an unprecedented Grand Slam of the three Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup with victory on Saturday, his first race in two months.
Owner Ahmed Zayat had initially pondered sending American Pharoah into retirement after a second place finish at the Travers Stakes before deciding to enter the Breeders’ Cup for one last hurrah.
Trainer Baffert put American Pharoah through a final workout at Santa Anita Park in California on Monday before preparing to ship the horse east.
“It went really well,” Baffert told bloodhorse.com.
“I was debating whether to work him in company – like, maybe put a target in front – but we just wanted to cruise around there and it was nice that we had the track to ourselves.
“He looked like Pharoah. I was pretty impressed. Going into this race, he’s ready to roll.”
After racing in Kentucky on Saturday, American Pharoah will be retired to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud near Lexington.
Baffert meanwhile backed Pharoah to arrive in Kentucky ready to race following the journey from southern California.
“We have to ship and the ship has to go well,” Baffert said.
“From here on out, everything has to go perfect for us… But he knows.
“It doesn’t matter where he goes. He’s handled it very well so far. He’s used to everything – the crowd, the paddock – he’s just that kind of horse.
“It makes my life so much easier, but that’s because he’s so great. He can handle it mentally.”