American Pharoah comes out of Rebel win ready to run

Hot Springs, AR (SportsNetwork.com) – Champion colt American Pharoah is in great shape following his Saturday victory in Oaklawn Park’s $750,000 Rebel Stakes.

Owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Bob Baffert, American Pharoah used a front running trip to register a 6 1/4-length win in the Rebel for his first start of the year.

“This horse, he does things effortlessly,” Baffert said. “It wasn’t really taxing on him. It turned out all right. He didn’t have to go too fast early. I thought he ran great.”

The 3-year-old is scheduled to return to Santa Anita on Monday. The $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 11 is a possible start before the Kentucky Derby on May 2.

“We’ll see how he is when he gets back (from Arkansas),” Baffert said en route to the OBS Sale in Florida. “We’ll see how he’s doing. We’ve got lots of options.”

Also reported doing fine Sunday was champion filly Untapable even though she lost the Azeri at Oaklawn to Gold Medal Dancer. Untapable, the 1-10 favorite, lost by a half-length.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Untapable will start next in either the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on April 10 at Oaklawn or in a stakes race at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks/Derby Day.

Trainer Donnie Von Hemel said Gold Medal Dancer will be pointed for the Apple Blossom.

Categorized in: Horses