Four years ago we were watching American Pharoah dominate the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. His performance brought tears to the eyes of all who loved him. He was truly "a horse of a lifetime".
This year at Santa Anita, three foals from American Pharoah's first crop participated in Breeders' Cup races. Even more -- one of them won and two of them finished in third!
American Pharoah foals have been loving the turf, so it is no surprise that all three of his starters on Friday were in turf races. Here is a overview of his three foals that ran and how they did!
Four Wheel Drive:
Four Wheel Drive, trained by Wesley Ward, is out of the More Than Ready mare Funfair. He made his debut in the Rosie’s Stakes and won. He then won the Gr.3 Futurity Stakes with ease. It is only fitting that he remained undefeated in the Gr.2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
He broke alertly from gate nine to take the early lead. Once he got it, he never gave it up. Four Wheel Drive won with absolute ease, becoming American Pharoah’s first ever Breeders’ Cup winner.
Another Miracle:
Another Miracle, trained by Gary Contessa, is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Retraceable. He broke his maiden on his second asking and then won the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. He finished fifth in the Gr.3 Futurity Stakes behind Four Wheel Drive.
Another Miracle also ran in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. He broke well from gate three and settled mid pack. At the top of the stretch, Another Miracle had to find a way through but was able to hold on for third. That made two foals in the top three for American Pharoah.
[Video: Watch Four Wheel Drive (#9) win and Another Miracle (#3) finish third]
Sweet Melania:
Sweet Melania, trained by Todd Pletcher, is out of the Discreet Cat mare Sweet N Discreet. She broke her maiden on her third try and went on to finish second in the P.G. Johnson Stakes. She then won the Gr.2 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland.
Sweet Melania ran in the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She broke well from gate twelve to take the lead on the outside. She later gave the lead to Abscond and sat in second. She ran her heart out, but couldn’t hold on to the lead. She finished third.
[Video: Watch Sweet Melania (#12) finish third]
American Pharoah is shaping up to be an exceptional turf sire. His progeny's dominance in the Juvenile Turf division prove that Bob Baffert was correct when he said, "If I had run him on the turf, he would have won on the turf". Be on the lookout for more American Pharoah progeny as the years progress. They will not be easy to miss.
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