BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC

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The march toward the final act of American Pharoah’s racing career began on Monday morning here at Santa Anita, where he had his first work since the Travers Stakes 23 days earlier and his first work in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic 40 days hence.

With jockey Martin Garcia, his regular work rider, aboard, American Pharoah went an easy half-mile in 49.80 seconds by himself shortly after daybreak. Trainer Bob Baffert moved up the time of his work on Monday owing to a heat wave that has settled over Southern California for much of the past week. It was forecast to be 90 degrees by noon; at 6:30 a.m., it was a more comfortable 71 degrees.

American Pharoah, the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first in 37 years, has had an easy schedule since finishing second in the Travers, his first loss since his debut the previous summer at Del Mar. After returning from Saratoga, American Pharoah had a light week at Del Mar, mostly jogging, then returned to Santa Anita, where he began galloping in advance of the first of a series of works designed to get him ready to take on elders for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Baffert said one of the reasons he went slowly following the Travers was to put weight back on American Pharoah.

Baffert said another reason he went slowly after the Travers was because he believed American Pharoah “was getting too amped up” leading up to the Travers.

“I had to shut him down,” Baffert said. “We had to reboot him.”

American Pharoah looked eager to work on Monday. His ears were forward, as if he wanted to do more, and nearing the wire he flew past another worker who was in front of him.

“He was enjoying himself,” Baffert said.

“I was galloping,” Garcia said via radio to Baffert after bringing American Pharoah to a stop.

“I wanted you to,” Baffert replied. “That was good.”

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is scheduled to be the final race for American Pharoah, who will enter stud at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky next spring.

But American Pharoah could be heading to Kentucky sooner than Breeders’ Cup week. Baffert, echoing comments made three weeks ago by Ahmed Zayat, American Pharoah’s owner and breeder, said he is strongly considering sending American Pharoah to Churchill Downs early next month for his final workouts. If that plan is used, American Pharoah would work maybe twice more at Santa Anita before going to Churchill Downs, and it would afford American Pharoah an easy trip from Louisville to Lexington the week of the Breeders’ Cup.

“We’re prepared to do anything,” Baffert said. “There are barns there waiting for us. It depends on the weather. He trains so well on that track.”

American Pharoah was based at Churchill Downs for two months earlier this year, from the time he won the Arkansas Derby through his sweep of the Triple Crown. After winning the Kentucky Derby, he made quick in-and-out trips to Maryland and New York to win the Preakness and Belmont, returning to Churchill Downs after those races.