Baffert living the American dream with Pharoah
The third leg of the Triple Crown has eluded a handful of horses in recent years, with American Pharoah’s trainer Bob Baffert having hit the crossbar three times after Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002) all fell at the final hurdle.
The trio feature among 13 runners to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before failing in New York.
Baffert told www.nyra.com: “I’m reminded every year of Real Quiet and Silver Charm.
“(American Pharoah) is a different horse than they were. You really don’t know until the whole series is over how good the horses are.
“I’m just hoping I brought the right horse here, but we won’t know until halfway into the race.”
American Pharoah outbattled his rivals for a length success over Firing Line in last month’s Kentucky Derby before strolling home by seven lengths on a wet track in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
“He’s a horse I’ve never had to talk people into how good he is,” said Baffert.
“I’ve been wowed by the way he trains all winter and in the spring, and he continues to show his stuff. When I lead him over, I sort of feel like I have an edge, but coming in here and going one and a half miles, it’s a completely different story.
“We don’t know how any of them are going to handle it because none of them have been that far. We just hope and dream from here on out.
“We know we’re against it. This is a very tough race with a lot of very nice horses in it
“ I never thought I’d be back here again in this position, but the way he won his races, and then the Preakness, he was so dominating that day.
“When he’s right, he likes to dominate. He’s that kind of horse. Hopefully he can bring it one more time.”
