HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — American Pharoah lived up to pre-race expectations by pulling away in the stretch to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday.
The colt, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and owned by Zayat Stables, went off as the heavy 1-9 favorite in the eight-horse field at Oaklawn Park, and ran away to an eight-length victory over Far Right.
Ridden by Victor Espinoza, American Pharoah ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.2 in the Kentucky Derby prep race.
American Pharoah paid $2.20, $2.20 and $2.10. Far Right returned $2.80 and $2.40, and Mr. Z paid $3.80 to show.
It was the fourth straight victory for last year’s 2-year-old champion, and gave Baffert his second Arkansas Derby win.
After a winter of less-than-ideal conditions — including a downpour during February’s Southwest Stakes — the crowd of 67,500 enjoyed a mostly sunny day with temperatures in the 70s on Saturday.
With a fast track to match the conditions, Bridget’s Big Luvy set the pace on the rail early with American Pharoah content to coast in second around the first turn and throughout the back stretch.
However, as the field made its way around the final turn, American Pharoah blew past the fading Bridget’s Big Luvy — well ahead of any challengers — to turn the home stretch into more of a coronation than competition.
Last year’s two-year-old champion has now four straight races by a combined 22 1/4 lengths and figures to be one of, if not the, favorites at next month’s Kentucky Derby.
American Pharoah began the day with his spot in next month’s Kentucky Derby secure, having already earned 60 qualifying points — most coming from a 6 1/4-length win in the Rebel Stakes last month. The colt bobbled to the left out of the gate during that race before recovering for the win in off conditions, doing so despite battling a loose shoe.
He had no such troubles in yet another dominating win on Saturday.
American Pharoah garnered another 100 points for his win, while Far Right earned 40 for second and Mr. Z 20 for third.
American Pharoah earned $600,000 for the win, which was Baffert’s first at the Arkansas Derby since Bodemeister in 2012. Far Right earned $200,000 for second and Mr. Z $100,000 for third.
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