American Pharoah early 6-5 favorite at Breeders' Cup

American Pharoah began his journey to Lexington, Ky. on Tuesday as the 6-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland.

The Triple Crown winner left Santa Anita Park on Tuesday after drawing post 4 in the 10-horse field the previous day. The 1 1/4-mile race will be the final one for American Pharoah, who will be taken to Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Lexington.

The Zayat Stables' three-year old star seeks his second grade I win following the Triple Crown after also winning the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes. American Pharoah finished second in his most recent race, the Travers Stakes in which trainer Bob Baffert said in hindsight was too much racing following the grueling Triple Crown.

American Pharoah will face a tough field Saturday that includes nine group I/grade I winners, led by Beholder, who seeks to become the all-time Breeders' Cup earnings leader. Beholder, who has earned $2.18 million, has won two previous Breeders' Cup races, and will aim to join Zenyatta as the only females to win the Classic.

The five-year-old Beholden has won all five of her starts this season. She drew the outside post and was installed as the second choice at 3-1.

"I can't say she's similar to anybody I've had," trainer Richard Mandella said, per bloodhorse.com. "I mean I've had some very good horses, but her character and personality is just very special. And she does bring her best to the race and that's the important thing."

Honor Code swept the NYRA.com Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) and Whitney Stakes (gr. I) this year, while Tonalist won the grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup in his most recent race.

Still, the pre-race hype is focused on American Pharoah, who ran a blistering six furlongs in 1:10 4/5 in his final full workout at Santa Anita on Oct. 20 and went through a lighter final workout Monday.

"He's what they used to call in the olden days 'Hickory.' That's Pharoah," Baffert said. "He's been able to withstand so much, the racing, the shipping, and he just keeps his head in the feed bucket.

"He has the demeanor to handle things; a very kind horse. ... One thing I've noticed about him is that when I really start getting after him and start working him, he likes that. He thrives on work."