Dazzling American Pharoah Effortless in Del Mar Workout

Japan is the “only horse that can upset American Pharoah”, Mott said that day, but “I just had him in the wrong race”. Baffert thought the calm atmosphere on the track proved beneficial.

“There is always pressure when you have a horse like this”, Baffert said.

Baffert called owner Ahmed Zayat over to where Baffert was talking to the media, but Zayat yelled out: “Too Nervous”. “I’d say if he wasn’t going to run in the Travers it would probably be a no-brainer to do it, to show him or whatever”.

Among those who would be meeting American Pharoah for the first time are the first and third-place finishers from the July 31 Curlin at the Spa, Smart Transition and King of New York; Japan, who was third in the Jim Dandy; Tommy Macho, third in the Dwyer at Belmont Park behind winner Speightstown and Texas Red; Face of Winner, making his stakes debut; and recent maiden winner Mid Ocean. The horse will let me know what he’s doing. We will do a lot more with him next week.

The Del Mar track was closed for 10 minutes for all horses bar American Pharoah and those set to run in next weekend’s Pacific Classic.

Waiting to be overcharged were the usual blend summoned by a big horse race: Members of high society – if legit or imposters only for a day – with floppy hats and bow ties; the daily players, fitted with half-open shirts, a paunch, chewed-up cigars, and a legacy of crumpled betting tickets in their wake; and the otherwise disengaged lured by the scent of history.

American Pharoah went off as a 1-9 favourite with bettors. When American Pharoah crossed the finish line, there were cheers and applause.

Official split times from the clockers were:12 2/5 seconds, :24 3/5 seconds, :35 4/5 seconds, and:59 4/5 seconds with a 1:13 3/5 gallop out.

Keen Ice: Trainer Dale Romans hasn’t ducked American Pharoah yet, and “picking up the scraps behind him hasn’t been very bad”.

After saying that, Garcia came up on the walkie-talkie and said some things in Spanish to Baffert, who just smiled.

American Pharoah is the best horse I’ve seen in almost 33 years of covering racing, the ease with which he beats up on good horses.

“I love bringing my horse here, ” Baffert said. Trainer John Shirreffs said Zetcher is “looking forward to the Travers, so I think if everything goes according to the way we hope it will, we should run there”.

The three-year-old colt was timed in 47.60 seconds for the half mile (800m) under work rider Martin Garcia on Sunday (Monday AEST). A little while later, a sign appeared on the giant Infield screen telecast from Saratoga staing the Travers Stakes has “Sold Out”.