American Pharoah Rightfully Goes Out a Champion In Breeders' Cup Win

Triple Crown hero American Pharoah fittingly brought the curtain down on a brilliant and historic racing career in stylish fashion Saturday, rocketing to the lead and never looking back in romping to a 6 ½-length win in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.

Becoming the first Grand Slam winner in Thoroughbred racing, having captured the Triple Crown (the first horse to do so in 37 years) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic, American Pharoah has clearly cemented his legacy as a truly great horse.

Those looking for drama in the Breeders’ Cup Classic had to be disappointed. American Pharoah assumed command early and simply glided around the racetrack, seemingly in a race of his own. At the head of the lane, jockey Victor Espinoza flicked his wrists and American Pharoah was gone, leaving seven rivals in the dust. He covered 1 ¼ miles in 2:00.07, appropriately enough, the fastest time at the distance in Keeneland history.

He wasn’t a one-trick pony. American Pharoah responded to every challenge, playing his share of road games. He raced at nine different tracks in six states. Typical thoroughbreds are creatures of habit. There’s nothing typical about American Phaorah, a uniquely unflappable colt with a long, fluid stride who conquered new worlds at every turn.

While American Pharoah had already carved his place in history by becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes over a trying five-week span, his powerful victory in the Classic assures that he will be remembered as an all-time great.

American Pharoah’s Classic victory was understandably emotional for his connections. The Zayat family of Zayat Stables and trainer Bob Baffert deserve credit for keeping their superstar horse in training following the Triple Crown instead of whisking him off to prepare for a lucrative second career as a stallion. It was a shot of adrenaline to the industry. A new legion of racing fans responded, following American Pharoah’s every move and turning out in droves to watch him run.

Having accomplished everything asked of him on the racetrack, American Pharoah delivered the perfect storybook ending to his remarkable racing career. While the cheers will subside and his accomplishments my never be repeated, there are more chapters ahead as the champion son of WinStar Farm’s Pioneerof the Nile is certain to influence the breed for years to come during his career as a stallion.