Baffert: Pharoah, Dortmund are 'really two different types of horses'

Bob Baffert had the right answer when someone asked him

which three-year-old was better, American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) or Dortmund

(Big Brown).

None.

"That's like asking me which kid I love more," he said,

tactfully and without hesitation.

For the time being, the duo will stay apart as Dortmund, unbeaten in five starts,

runs in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 4 and once-beaten Eclipse Award champion American Pharoah is

ticketed for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 11 at Oaklawn Park.

Dortmund is an over-sized chestnut owned by Kaleem Shah. American Pharoah is

a bay colt owned and bred by Ahmed Zayat. Aside from that, the two immensely talented

three-year-olds are

at once comparable and disparate in a manner of speaking that Baffert would

address.

"Dortmund is tall," Baffert said. "He's got a good mind on

him; he's a smart horse. He gets a little rambunctious in the paddock, but other

than that, he's pretty good."

The white-haired conditioner noted that Dortmund "went nice," after working six furlongs in company Saturday morning

over Santa Anita fast dirt in 1:12 with regular rider Martin Garcia. Stablemate

and unraced sophomore filly Miss Midnight Brew (Midnight Lute) was given a five-furlong time of

1:02 3/5.

"Pharoah has a very efficient, kind of effortless stride.

He does things really, really easy. I think he can handle any surface, whether

it's deep, fast, whatever. He's fast, but he's not a speed-crazy type.

"The reason they find themselves on the lead is because

they do it effortlessly. You'd have to really slow them down, get them down to a

gallop, to have them stalking a horse. I don't know what would happen if there

was some ridiculous speed out there.

"It's something I don't really worry about until the gates open, as long as

their riders put them where they're comfortable. I've never seen them rank or

run off. I've never seen that."

If all goes well, the pair will square off in the Kentucky Derby (G1) the

first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

Even though American Pharoah and Dortmund aren't supposed to square off until

the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 2 at Churchill Downs, Baffert could still end up

with two runners in the Santa Anita Derby as the trainer hasn't ruled out One Lucky Dane

(Lookin at Lucky) for the race after his 9 3/4-length allowance/optional

claiming win on Thursday.