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American Pharoah Rules in 2015 Arkansas Derby

Jessica Smith
On April 12, 2015

American Pharoah Rules in 2015 Arkansas Derby: As expected, American Pharoah romped in the April 11 $1 million Arkansas Derby, shutting out the rest of the field by eight lengths.

The Zayat family was unable to attend the Arkansas Derby as they were on vacation, but they watched the race from the same hotel room that they watched Eskendereya win the Wood Memorial and Bodemeister win the Arkansas Derby.
Photo: Jessica Smith

The reigning Champion Two-Year-Old Male undoubtedly stamped himself as one of the favorites for the May 2 Kentucky Derby in blowing away his seven rivals in the good time of 1:48.52, and he now owns 160 points towards the Kentucky Derby, placing him in fourth behind International Star, Dortmund, and Carpe Diem.

Going off as the 9-1 favorite, American Pharoah navigated the 1-1/8-mile distance easily in stalking position behind Bridget’s Big Luvy, thus dispelling any doubts about his ability to sit off the leaders. Under regular jockey Victor Espinoza, the colt easily collared that rival in the second turn and cleared the field without urging.

American Pharoah is by Pioneerof the Nile and out of the Yankee Gentleman mare Littleprincessemma, and he has now won four out of five starts. His only loss came in his maiden race last August, but since then he has been undefeated, winning the Del Mar Futurity (GI), the FrontRunner Stakes (GI), and the Rebel Stakes (GII).

Zayat Stables bred and owns American Pharoah, and the colt is trained by Bob Baffert. The Zayat family was unable to attend the race as they were on vacation, but they watched the race from the same hotel room that they watched Eskendereya win the Wood Memorial and Bodemeister win the Arkansas Derby.

“I don’t know if words can describe what I’m feeling. I am on vacation with my family (in Mexico) and we watched on TV, and we were all jumping up and down and screaming,” Ahmed Zayat said.

Referring to what he thought of American Pharoah’s performance, Zayat said, “I know that he is a very talented and very fast horse, but today he showed us a different dimension. This horse can do anything. He’s brilliant.”

Oaklawn favorite Far Right was a distant second, and Mr. Z finished three-quarters of a neck back in third.

Related Links:
Horse Racing News & Replays April 11, 2015