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American Pharoah to keep racing

By The Sports Xchange
Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez rides American Pharoah. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI
Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez rides American Pharoah. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo

The owner of American Pharoah said the Triple Crown winner will continue his racing career despite his runner-up finish in the Travers Stakes on Saturday.

Owner Ahmed Zayat said he discussed the horse's future with trainer Bob Baffert, and that American Pharoah will be entered in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

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"I have discussed all aspects of American Pharoah's race last Saturday in the Travers - and his condition since the race - with our whole team, and have decided American Pharoah deserves another chance, so we are pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic," Zayat said in a statement.

Zayat indicated American Pharoah's racing career might have ended after finishing a length behind Keen Ice in the Travers, ending an eight-race winning streak and marking just the second loss in 10 career starts.

It has yet to be determined if American Pharoah will be entered in a prep race before Keeneland, Zayat told ESPN.com. Baffert will monitor the colt's progress over the next few weeks before a plan is finalized. American Pharoah would be the first Triple Crown winner to also race in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

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"I am very confident in my decision," Zayat said. "Not a moment has gone by since the race on Saturday when I have not thought about this decision. My initial concern right after the race was about American Pharoah's condition, because he did not run his 'A' race. He has come out of the race in great shape.

"And after examining all the evidence and talking it over with our team - Bob Baffert, my son Justin (racing manager for Zayat Stables), (assistant trainer) Jimmy Barnes, and (jockey) Victor Espinoza - I believe there were a combination of factors that prevented American Pharoah from running his absolute best on Saturday. I have every confidence that he can run to his best again, and he deserves the chance to do so."

Once he is retired, American Pharoah will enter stud at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.

"I am very confident that this is the right decision for American Pharoah," Zayat said. "He loves to race. He has provided my family, racing fans, and general sports fans with great thrills this year. He won the Triple Crown earlier this year, and he deserves the chance to be in the sport's premier year-end event."

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