Postby TJ » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:55 am
American Pharoah came out of the Haskell in great shape and returned home to his Del Mar barn yesterday. Baffert wants to keep him running against 3YO's and implied that California will entice him to stay there for his next start. Though the only possible race for him would be the Pacific Classic against older, so that makes no sense? If Baffert takes the high road and comes to Saratoga for the Travers, the New York Racing Association will offer an additional $600,000 to the all ready million dollar purse. The Travers is going to be one of the best races of the season....they don't call it the Mid-Summer Derby for nothing. With Frosted, Texas Red and a much fitter Upstart all confirmed to run....it could be American Pharoah's opportunity to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, he is the best 3YO in the country. Let's face it, that group he was in against in the Haskell was pretty bad.....most of them needed a van to go a mile and an eight and the one that could go the distance (Upstart) wasn't tight enough off the layoff. If Baffert and Zayat decide to go elsewhere, it would look like they're ducking the only 3YO's who have any chance of beating him. I don't think Baffert would duck them, especially since his record in the Travers could use the bump. Bottom line, if Baffert accepts the challenge and enters the Travers field, it will be no slam dunk like the Haskell was. At the mile and a quarter distance, the only time American Pharoah tried it in the Derby, he was under pressure to hold sway. It is a race that puts American Pharoah's win streak on the line because of the distance and the tough competition, but it is a challenge Baffert should accept. TJ