Baffert is scheduled to arrive in Saratoga on Thursday.
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Standing in the winner’s circle, Hall of Fame trainer Dick Mandella could not stop smiling while Beholder’s owner Wayne Hughes of Spendthrift Farm said he would like to see Beholder face American Pharoah in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on October. 31 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
“It’s been very exciting for all of us”, he said.
Next Saturday, he will then need to win the historic, 146th running of Travers over Texas Red and the steady Frosted.
“You know obviously this is a whole different deal with American Pharoah coming, being a Triple Crown victor and making his debut at Saratoga”, said Terranova.
With Pharoah headed to Saratoga Springs this Wednesday, there’s a lot of work to be done in the stable where he’s being kept until the big race. “There’s going to be a lot of attention, a lot of people are going to want to be around to see him and watch him and all that, so I’m sure they’re going to do a great job of keeping everybody healthy and safe, horses and people”.
The field from the rail out is Upstart, American Pharoah, Mid Ocean, Texas Red, Frammento, Frosted, Keen Ice, Tale of Verve, King of New York and Smart Transition. “Hopefully, it’ll all go smooth”.
If American Pharoah starts, the purse increases by $350,000 to $1.6 million, with the winner’s share $850,000. These two looked quite sharp finishing a close first and second in the 1-1/8 mile Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga three weeks ago.
Now, even as the excitement’s still settling in, preparations are already underway for the Triple Crown-winner’s arrival.
“This is a great day for racing fans in Saratoga, across the State of New York and throughout our nation” NYRA’s Chief Executive Officer and President Christopher Kay said in a statement. He believes American Pharoah’s latest workout suggests the challenge of overtaking him may be greater than ever.
With roughly 2,000 fans in attendance, the Pioneer of the Nile colt forged a 1:23.20 time over seven furlongs at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, Sunday. “With a horse like Pharoah, I think you can get away with it”.
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“Saratoga here we come!” Yet, I doubt historians will agree with Wayne Hughes and rank her “as the best filly” of modern times, even if she beats American Pharoah in the BC Classic.
