But for the first time in the history of the sport, racing fans have come to know their hero on an nearly intimate level, even those who have never seen him in the flesh.
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Pebbles became the first horse trained in Britain to win at the Breeders’ Cup when in 1985 she won the Breeders’ Cup Turf for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
American Pharoah, who could have a prep race before heading to Keeneland on October 31, is 5-2 favourite for the Classic, while Gleneagles is 12-1 with Betfred and William Hill.
But equally as special can be the more subdued moments like the one experienced by Bernet, because they go against the natural order of things and make you think, as well as feel, about what you are witnessing. “My initial concern right after the race was about American Pharoah’s condition, because he did not run his ‘A” race.
On Thursday, following hours of talks with trainer Bob Baffert and the rest of Team Pharoah this week, the owner decided against retirement because “the champ deserves another chance. I have every confidence that he can run to his best again, and he deserves the chance to do so”. Winners of the Personal Ensign, Ballerina, Forego and Sword Dancer earn automatic spots in a Breeders’ Cup race in their division.
Plans are in the works for Baffert to send the Triple Crown victor back to Louisville for training.
Perhaps after the euphoria of the seemingly impossible Triple Crown sweep and racing at eight different tracks in 10 career starts, American Pharoah’s future will center around a life at stud and that day down the road when he fittingly enters the Hall of Fame.
It was understandable that Ahmed Zayat’s thoughts turned swiftly toward retiring American Pharoah after the colt’s loss Saturday in the Travers Stakes.
This group on Sunday morning was considerably smaller than the throng of 15,000 that watched American Pharoah take a routine gallop two days earlier. It’s expected that a number of others targeting the championship series at Keeneland will train here as well.
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There’s also a chance for a race before the Classic, but the call would be up to Baffert.
