American Pharoah returns to Churchill Downs; Belmont field takes shape

Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof

the Nile) flew from Baltimore to Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday and settled in

at Churchill Downs, where the Bob Baffert colt will train for his date with

Triple Crown destiny in the June 6 Belmont S. (G1).

The Zayat Stables homebred hopped on the Tex Sutton charter two days after

his seven-length demolition job in the Preakness, contested in a sea of slop at

Pimlico. Touching down in Louisville at 1:58 p.m. (EDT), American Pharoah and

stablemates Luminance (Tale of the Cat) and Cat Burglar (Unbridled's Song) then

boarded a Brook Ledge van for the ride to Churchill Downs. They disembarked at

Barn 33 at 2:36 p.m.

American Pharoah toured the barn for a while before getting a bath. Live

coverage of his arrival, and bath time, was provided by Churchill on Periscope.

According to assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, American Pharoah will take it

easy this week. Plans call for him to walk the shed row Tuesday through Friday.

American Pharoah ranks as the fourth Baffert trainee to have a shot at the

Triple Crown, following Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem

(2002), who all saw their dreams dashed in the 1 1/2-mile "Test of the

Champion."