American Pharoah has had his first serious work-out since the Preakness Stakes ahead of his Triple Crown bid.
The colt worked over four furlongs (800m) in 48 seconds at Churchill Downs on Tuesday with regular exercise rider, jockey Martin Garcia, aboard.
Victor Espinoza will again have the mount in the Belmont on June 6 when American Pharoah tries to become the first winner of the Triple Crown – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont – since Affirmed in 1978.
“He’s moving like his fluid self,” Baffert said.
“He came back the right way. That’s Pharoah. That’s the way, when he’s on his game, that’s the way he looks. Just really happy with the way he went.”
“He makes my job easier because he is such a good horse.”
Baffert said he comes into this Belmont with a different mindset after missing the chance at racing history with Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002).
“Before, I felt that there was more pressure,” Baffert said.
“But now I’ve been through it, I know what to expect.
“I never thought I’d have another chance like this. To be going through it again with a horse like this is a wow moment every time I think about it.”
