American Pharoah© Photo Healy Racing
Triple Crown hero American Pharoah will take his chance in the Breeders' Cup Classic despite his shock defeat at Saratoga last weekend.
Bob Baffert's three-year-old became the first horse since 1978 to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes earlier this summer and subsequently added the Haskell Invitational to his tally at Monmouth.
There were suggestions his racing days could be over after being beaten by Keen Ice in the Travers Stakes, but owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat is keen to see his charge sign off in what he describes as " the sport's premier year-end event."
The news sets up a potential clash with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Gleneagles, after the Ballydoyle handler said earlier in the week that the Keeneland showpiece was the "end-of-season target" for his dual 2000 Guineas winner.
"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 on www.drf.com.
"I am very confident in my decision. 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, Jimmy Barnes, and 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.
"I am very confident that this is the right decision for American Pharoah. 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 and he deserves the chance to be in the sport's premier year-end event."
