Triple Crown Hopeful American Pharoah Healthy, But Tired
BALTIMORE (AP) -- American Pharoah stood outside the Pimlico stakes barn, staring straight ahead at trainer Bob Baffert, who was holding his lead shank while two others were hosing off the white bandages around the colt's legs.
All was well on the Sunday morning after Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah won the Preakness to set up a Triple Crown attempt in the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
"He looks fine. He's a little quiet. He's a little tired, like he's supposed to be after a race," Baffert said a few minutes after he and jockey Victor Espinoza appeared on the "The Today Show." "That's usually him. Health-wise he looks good. No changes. No surprises."
Baffert said American Pharoah would be sent to Churchill Downs on Monday for a week of rest and relaxation. He will resume training at the Louisville, Kentucky, track before traveling to Belmont Park in New York. Arrival date is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.
The 62-year-old trainer will try for an unprecedented fourth time to win a Triple Crown. Espinoza will be the first rider with a third chance to pull off the feat.
American Pharoah won the Preakness by seven lengths over a sloppy track in a driving rainstorm. Baffert's take? "He's by Pioneer of the Nile, and it was like he was running in the Nile."
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