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Baffert to 'learn more' about American Pharoah in Arkansas Derby

American Pharoah is already safely in the Kentucky Derby field with 60 points (Coady Photography) Hall of Famer Bob Baffert commented on Zayat Stables' homebred champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), the 1-2 favorite in Saturday's Arkansas Derby (G1). "He shipped well and has been doing great since he got there," Baffert said by phone from his Southern California base. "We're excited about the race and looking forward to it. We're not thinking about the points (toward the Kentucky Derby [G1]). "The main thing right now is to take one race at a time. Hopefully, he runs well and comes out of it well. Every time he runs we learn more and more about him." Baffert, who saddled Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Dortmund (Big Brown) last Saturday, said that the other big three-year-old in the barn merits the respect he has garnered as he heads into the Arkansas Derby. "The odds are pretty short, but Dortmund's were as well last week," Baffert said. "This time of year they're starting to separate themselves from the rest. He's exciting to watch and he deserves to be the favorite." Last seen romping in the March 14 Rebel (G2) in his previous visit to Oaklawn Park, American Pharoah galloped one mile here Thursday under exercise rider Jorge Alvez, who traveled from California with him. American Pharoah will be joined in the gate by fellow Zayat runner Mr. Z (Malibu Moon), trained by another Hall of Famer in D. Wayne Lukas. Mr. Z is still eligible for an entry-level allowance race, but he'll try to rekindle his flickering Kentucky Derby hopes on Saturday.

Translation? Let reporters report and trainers train, Lukas said Thursday morning. Lukas is wheeling Mr. Z back after a last-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2) March 28 at Fair Grounds.

"It doesn't bother me," said Lukas, who turns 80 September 2. "I know we get criticized for running him. My take on that is I don't think you guys have ever trained one, never have owned one, never put anything into the game and, yet, you have all these opinions on what we should do and shouldn't do. So I don't pay any attention to it."

Mr. Z has lost 10 consecutive times since winning his June 28 career debut at Churchill Downs. During that period, the colt has suffered several close losses, including the Delta Downs Jackpot (G3) and the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), against top-shelf competition.

Lukas said he has no explanation for Mr. Z's poor performance in the Louisiana Derby. But, Mr. Z is again wearing blinkers after Lukas removed the equipment for the Louisiana Derby. The colt, in company, breezed a half-mile in :48 1/5 Monday morning.

Mr. Z (outside, at Delta last fall) comes off a career-worst effort in the Louisiana Derby (Coady Photography) "He's having a good week, so we'll see what happens," Lukas said. "Not that he hasn't faced these horses before." A separate betting interest from American Pharoah, Mr. Z is 10-1 on the morning line for the Arkansas Derby. Far Right is the most accomplished three-year-old who has been based at Oaklawn throughout the meeting. The Ron Moquett trainee won the Smarty Jones S. January 19 and the Southwest S. (G3) February 22. Moquett bypassed the Rebel and decided to train Far Right up to the Arkansas Derby. Saturday's 1 1/8-mile race will mark the first meeting between American Pharoah, who arrived from his Southern California base Wednesday, and Far Right. "Ready for action," Moquett said Thursday morning. "He's doing unbelievable, so I'm very happy with how he comes into the race." Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith is again scheduled to ride Far Right, the early 9-2 second wagering choice.

Madefromlucky (Lookin at Lucky), the runner-up to American Pharoah last time out in the Rebel at 1 1/16 miles here, is ready for the rematch at 1 1/8 miles. The son of 2010 Rebel and Preakness (G1) champion Lookin at Lucky ran a credible race that day, but was no match for American Pharoah, who despite losing a shoe went gate-to-wire to win going away by 6 1/4 lengths under Victor Espinoza.

Madefromlucky, who is a handsome chestnut colt with a strong resemblance to his sire, appears to have grown bigger and more physically mature in the month since the Rebel. Pletcher knows that Madefromlucky doesn't have the early speed to duel with the favorite, so he hopes that a rival will help that scenario to unfold.

"I don't think he can do that so we'll hope that someone goes out there with American Pharoah and keeps the pace honest," Pletcher said. "Hopefully a mile and an eighth will help us. I think he wants to run farther and he's already won at a mile and an eighth (in an allowance test at Gulfstream Park two starts back). I just hope there's an honest pace up front."

Madefromlucky currently sits in 21st place for one of 20 berths in the Kentucky Derby starting gate with 20 qualifying points, and the Arkansas Derby presents his last opportunity to earn his way into the field. There are 170 points (100-40-20-10 for first through fourth place finishes) for the taking here on Saturday.

"It's pretty much it's now or never to earn those Derby points. We've got to figure out the next step for him and where we belong, and this race should help us clarify that," Pletcher said.

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