American Pharoah has won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. With only two days until the test of champions, The Belmont Stakes, here is some history on the Zayat Stables home-bred colt.
American Phaorah was born on February 2nd 2012 sired by champion Pioneerof The Nile and out of Littleprincessemma. He was bred by Zayat Stables owner, Ahmed Zayat in Kentucky. He was born at 11 p.m. at Stockplace Farm near Winchester, Kentucky. American Pharoah was part of the second crop of foals from Pioneerof The Nile, who had finished second to Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. His dam, Littleprincessemma ran twice in 2008, but did not win either start. American Pharoah was her second foal, her first being Xixixi, an allowance winner. Littleprincessemma was purchased by Zayat Stables in 2007 for $250,000. She was sold again in foal to Pioneerof The Nile in November 2014 for $2.1 million.
American Pharoah received his name through a contest on social media run by Ahmed Zayat's 23 year old son, Justin Zayat. Marsha Baumgartner was the winner of the contest with her name for the colt, American Pharoah. The word " Pharaoh " was misspelled and was submitted electronically to the Jockey Club online registration site, so the spelling was never corrected.
In August of 2013, American Pharoah, who was now a yearling, was up for consignment by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the Fasig - Tipton sale and was bought by Ingordo Bloodstock, who in which was acting as an agent for Zayat Stables, and bought the colt for $300,000. It was then Zayat had said he would not sell the colt for anything under $1 million.
Two Year Old Season:
American Pharoah made his racing debut on on August 9th 2014 in a maiden race over six and a half furlongs on the polytrack at Del Mar Racetrack. The colt was ridden by Martin Garcia and went into the race at 7-5 against eight other horses. Before the race it was clear American Pharoah was unsettled and while he ran in second until the stretch, the bay son of Pioneerof The Nile faded and finished fifth nine lengths behind the winner. The colt had ran in blinkers which was the cause of his uncomfortableness before and during the race. His trainer, Bob Baffert, removed the hood and added cotton in the horses ears to block out some of the extra noise.
His next start was on September 4th in the seven furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. Victor Espinoza was in the irons for the first time and American Pharoah went into the race as the second favorite behind Best Pal Stakes winner, Skyway. American Pharoah took the lead from the start and won by four and three quarters over Calculator.
September 27th was the next race for the bay colt. Victor Espinoza was back in the saddle to pilot the colt in the eight and a half furlong Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita Park. American Pharoah went into the race as the 1-2 favorite. As in his last start, American Phaorah was sent right to the front and stayed there, pulling away from the rest of the field to win by three and a quarter lengths over Calculator.
American Pharoah next headed towards the Breeder's Cup Juvenile on November 1st. Sadly, he had to scratch from the race after sustaining a bruise to his left front foot in a workout on October 27th. American Pharoah went on to win the honors of American Champion Two - Year Old Male at the Eclipse Awards at the end of the year.
Three year Old Season:
American Pharoah began his three year old season five and a half month after his last start as a two year old. He returned in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 14th. The colt carried 119 pounds and went in as the 2-5 favorite, up against 6 other horses. As per usual, American Pharoah took the lead from the start and drew away to win by six and a quarter lengths on a sloppy track. It was an incredible performance, especially considering the fact that American Pharoah returned from the race with a twisted shoe.
Four weeks later, American Phaorah ran again at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. He faced seven opponents and went in as the odds on favorite. After running in second to Bridget's Big Luvy, he took the lead with a quarter of a mile to the finish and won by eight lengths over Southwest Stakes winner, Far Right.
On May 2nd, American Phaorah went into the Kentucky Derby as the favorite against a field of the eighteen talented three year olds. At the started of the race, Victor Espinoza, kept the colt in third behind Dortmund and Firing Line. Entering the straightaway, Espinoza made his move with the colt on the outside, to take the lead. American Pharoah crossed under the wire first a lengths in front of Firing line, giving the Zayats their first Kentucky Derby win.
Two weeks later, May 16th, American Pharoah ran in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. He went into the race from post one* as the favorite. Shortly before the race started, the weather changed to a very heavy downpour with thunder, soaking the track. The last time the Preakness had been run on a sloppy track was back in 1983, which was won by Deputed Testamony. American Pharoah got the lead within the first quarter-mile of the race. He was challenged early on by former stablemate, Mr.Z. He was then challenged by Dortmund and Diving Rod, but easily American Pharoah broke away from the rest of the field and won by seven lengths over Tale of Verve. Jockey Victor Espinoza hadn't even need to use his whip and the final time was 1:58.45. With American Pharoah's win, he now carried the hopes of America onto the Belmont Stakes, on June 6th. It had been 37 years since Affirmed won the Triple Crown in 1978. This had been the second year in a row that there was a chance for a Triple Crown.
There are two days left until the final leg of the Triple Crown. American Pharoah arrived at Belmont Park, in Elmont New York on Tuesday, June 2nd. He had breezed the day before at Churchill Downs going five furlongs on a fast track in 1:00.20 finishing 6/20. He left Louisville, Kentucky at 11:15 pm via plane. he arrived at the Belmont Track at 3:45 pm. At The post position draw on June 3rd, American Pharoah drew post position number five out of a field of eight. Since arrive, American Pharoah jogged and galloped on the Belmont track, and schooled today (June 4th) in preparation for the race this Saturday, June 6th. Belmont Park is expecting a crowd of 90k to attend the race this weekend. American Pharoah looks to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
My Thoughts:
I will be attending the race this weekend, and I do feel American Pharoah had a good shot at winning. He has a great position and seems comfortable on the track. I feel very confident in him and wish him and all of his connections good luck on Saturday! Be prepared for more blogs to follow, come tomorrow, Saturday, or Sunday.
Also, be sure to follow me on twitter @amer_pharoah and on instagram @madipharoah for updates on the race.
- Madi
American Phaorah was born on February 2nd 2012 sired by champion Pioneerof The Nile and out of Littleprincessemma. He was bred by Zayat Stables owner, Ahmed Zayat in Kentucky. He was born at 11 p.m. at Stockplace Farm near Winchester, Kentucky. American Pharoah was part of the second crop of foals from Pioneerof The Nile, who had finished second to Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. His dam, Littleprincessemma ran twice in 2008, but did not win either start. American Pharoah was her second foal, her first being Xixixi, an allowance winner. Littleprincessemma was purchased by Zayat Stables in 2007 for $250,000. She was sold again in foal to Pioneerof The Nile in November 2014 for $2.1 million.
American Pharoah received his name through a contest on social media run by Ahmed Zayat's 23 year old son, Justin Zayat. Marsha Baumgartner was the winner of the contest with her name for the colt, American Pharoah. The word " Pharaoh " was misspelled and was submitted electronically to the Jockey Club online registration site, so the spelling was never corrected.
In August of 2013, American Pharoah, who was now a yearling, was up for consignment by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the Fasig - Tipton sale and was bought by Ingordo Bloodstock, who in which was acting as an agent for Zayat Stables, and bought the colt for $300,000. It was then Zayat had said he would not sell the colt for anything under $1 million.
Two Year Old Season:
American Pharoah made his racing debut on on August 9th 2014 in a maiden race over six and a half furlongs on the polytrack at Del Mar Racetrack. The colt was ridden by Martin Garcia and went into the race at 7-5 against eight other horses. Before the race it was clear American Pharoah was unsettled and while he ran in second until the stretch, the bay son of Pioneerof The Nile faded and finished fifth nine lengths behind the winner. The colt had ran in blinkers which was the cause of his uncomfortableness before and during the race. His trainer, Bob Baffert, removed the hood and added cotton in the horses ears to block out some of the extra noise.
His next start was on September 4th in the seven furlong Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. Victor Espinoza was in the irons for the first time and American Pharoah went into the race as the second favorite behind Best Pal Stakes winner, Skyway. American Pharoah took the lead from the start and won by four and three quarters over Calculator.
September 27th was the next race for the bay colt. Victor Espinoza was back in the saddle to pilot the colt in the eight and a half furlong Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes at Santa Anita Park. American Pharoah went into the race as the 1-2 favorite. As in his last start, American Phaorah was sent right to the front and stayed there, pulling away from the rest of the field to win by three and a quarter lengths over Calculator.
American Pharoah next headed towards the Breeder's Cup Juvenile on November 1st. Sadly, he had to scratch from the race after sustaining a bruise to his left front foot in a workout on October 27th. American Pharoah went on to win the honors of American Champion Two - Year Old Male at the Eclipse Awards at the end of the year.
Three year Old Season:
American Pharoah began his three year old season five and a half month after his last start as a two year old. He returned in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 14th. The colt carried 119 pounds and went in as the 2-5 favorite, up against 6 other horses. As per usual, American Pharoah took the lead from the start and drew away to win by six and a quarter lengths on a sloppy track. It was an incredible performance, especially considering the fact that American Pharoah returned from the race with a twisted shoe.
Four weeks later, American Phaorah ran again at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. He faced seven opponents and went in as the odds on favorite. After running in second to Bridget's Big Luvy, he took the lead with a quarter of a mile to the finish and won by eight lengths over Southwest Stakes winner, Far Right.
On May 2nd, American Phaorah went into the Kentucky Derby as the favorite against a field of the eighteen talented three year olds. At the started of the race, Victor Espinoza, kept the colt in third behind Dortmund and Firing Line. Entering the straightaway, Espinoza made his move with the colt on the outside, to take the lead. American Pharoah crossed under the wire first a lengths in front of Firing line, giving the Zayats their first Kentucky Derby win.
Two weeks later, May 16th, American Pharoah ran in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. He went into the race from post one* as the favorite. Shortly before the race started, the weather changed to a very heavy downpour with thunder, soaking the track. The last time the Preakness had been run on a sloppy track was back in 1983, which was won by Deputed Testamony. American Pharoah got the lead within the first quarter-mile of the race. He was challenged early on by former stablemate, Mr.Z. He was then challenged by Dortmund and Diving Rod, but easily American Pharoah broke away from the rest of the field and won by seven lengths over Tale of Verve. Jockey Victor Espinoza hadn't even need to use his whip and the final time was 1:58.45. With American Pharoah's win, he now carried the hopes of America onto the Belmont Stakes, on June 6th. It had been 37 years since Affirmed won the Triple Crown in 1978. This had been the second year in a row that there was a chance for a Triple Crown.
There are two days left until the final leg of the Triple Crown. American Pharoah arrived at Belmont Park, in Elmont New York on Tuesday, June 2nd. He had breezed the day before at Churchill Downs going five furlongs on a fast track in 1:00.20 finishing 6/20. He left Louisville, Kentucky at 11:15 pm via plane. he arrived at the Belmont Track at 3:45 pm. At The post position draw on June 3rd, American Pharoah drew post position number five out of a field of eight. Since arrive, American Pharoah jogged and galloped on the Belmont track, and schooled today (June 4th) in preparation for the race this Saturday, June 6th. Belmont Park is expecting a crowd of 90k to attend the race this weekend. American Pharoah looks to become just the 12th Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
My Thoughts:
I will be attending the race this weekend, and I do feel American Pharoah had a good shot at winning. He has a great position and seems comfortable on the track. I feel very confident in him and wish him and all of his connections good luck on Saturday! Be prepared for more blogs to follow, come tomorrow, Saturday, or Sunday.
Also, be sure to follow me on twitter @amer_pharoah and on instagram @madipharoah for updates on the race.
- Madi