Of American Pharoah’s Travers Stakes loss in late August, turf writer Steve Haskin wrote, “He and Frosted gutted each other and crawled home.” NBC’s Jerry Bailey, himself a Hall of Fame jockey, has repeatedly said that American Pharoah was a “tired horse” at the Travers Stakes.

Redemption, however, waited for him at the Breeder’s Cup Classic at Keenland on October 31st. After nine weeks of rest and recuperation, Pharoah was taken sharply to the lead from gate 4, his stride long, effortless, fluid and in full bloom by the first turn. The first quarter went in 23.99 seconds, a quick but not killing pace.

Closers like Honor Code depend on desperate quarters to tire the leaders before beginning their charge to the wire. The pace quickened with the half run in 47:40 and six furlongs in 1:11.21. He seemed not to run, rather Pharoah’s buttery smooth stride reached out and pulled the track to him. Effinex, running easily in second place, was never more than a length behind him.

Jockey Victor Espinoza later said, “I knew this was going to be his last race, and I let him run. On the back side, the path I was in was a little deep, so I decided to move out and he accelerated a little. Turning for home I knew I was gone.”

Out of the final turn American Pharoah had opened a 2-1/2 length lead, when as in the Belmont, Espinoza turned him loose and let him soar above a racing surface that could not hold him; let him race the wind one last time.

In winning the Classic, American Pharoah broke Keenland’s record for any surface at 1-1/4 miles by more than 5 seconds at 2:00.07.

But just beyond the finish line elation was wed to melancholy. Donna Brothers, once a successful jockey in her own right, cut short her post race interview with Victor Espinoza as tears welled up in his eyes and he was near the point of breaking down. Emotion nearly overcame Bob Baffert when he, no doubt thinking about his late mother and father as well, took a moment to gather himself and denying the catch in his throat, simply said, “I’ll never have another horse like him.”

On Sunday morning Ahmed Zayat, American Pharoah’s owner and breeder, was too overcome with emotion to finish a television interview. Baffert summed up his feelings for American Pharoah, the athlete.

“The way he was going, he just breaks other horse’s hearts. The good horses do that…This horse has an angel on his back. He is a gift from God. This guy had the brilliance, the speed, and the personality. He was the perfect racehorse.”

And so wearing the purple cooler emblematic of a Breeder’s Cup Classic winner, with the cheers of 50,000 adoring fans washing over him, American Pharoah was led back to his barn accompanied by a military contingent to chow down on his favorite snack—carrots. What else?

American Pharoah moved to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud on November 2nd. He will have the best care, the best food, a new groom, and his own multi-acre turnout. He will have all he could have ever wished for. But I can’t help thinking that at some time, standing alone, looking out over the lush Kentucky countryside that is his home, there will come a moment when he will remember.


About the Author

Loren Schumacher is a small business/horse owner in Southwestern Ohio. He competes in competitive trail events and publishes the blog Nip & Duck, where he talks about almost anything horse.