With Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, October 31, 2015, horse racing entusiasts have their eyes on American Pharoah and the question in the minds of many is: Can Pharoah's triple crown turn into a grand slam with a win of the Cup?
American Pharoah after winning Preakness
With Breeders' Cup Classic on Saturday, October 31, 2015, horse racing entusiasts have their eyes on American Pharoah and the question in the minds of many is: Can Pharoah's triple crown turn into a grand slam with a win of the Cup?.
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American Pharoah's chances in the Breeders' Cup Classic improved when second betting choice Beholder was scratched on Thursday, and the updated morning lines from Keeneland reflect that change. Unfortunately for Beholder's trainer, the horse had to be scratched from the race when a routine vet's medical procedure showed bleeding in her throat after a morning gallop.
With a total of 228 horses running in this Friday-Saturday extravaganza at Keeneland on a muddy track thanks to Hurricane Patricia, at stake is $26 million. The Breeders' Cup Classic is a $5 million race.
Now comes âthe grand finale,â as Zayat the owner of American Pharoah calls it. The Breedersâ Cup began in 1984, so American Pharoah is the first Triple Crown winner to compete in it. In the Classic. Coming off a two-month layoff, and racing a demanding 1 1/4 miles over a track at which he never has raced is seen as a challenge for the Triple Crown winner, but the odds appear to be in his favor.
Trainer Baffert sees American Pharoah as "a majestic horse." "They used to call horses like him "hickory. He's an old fashioned thoroughbred" and acknowledges special feelings for him not only as a very special race horse, but in many ways as a special pet in their relationship.
This will be American Pharoah's last race, so in some ways it is business as usual, but in other ways it has been a most memorable ride for everyone interested in horse racing.
After the Breeders' Cup, American Pharoah heads to his new life as a stallion at Coolmoreâs Ashford Stud, just down the road in Versailles.
âGod willing, there will be lots of little Pharoahs running around,â said Ahmed Zayat.
Trainer Baffert will return to Santa Anita knowing heâll never find a replacement for the best horse heâll ever train. Even filling the stall American Pharoah occupied will be a challenge.
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