Meet the Contenders: 2023 American Pharoah Stakes

Meet the horses running in the 2023 American Pharoah Stakes. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well.

#1 Rothschild                    ***

Pro: Beat a couple of these rather convincingly in maiden score two back.

Con: Dull trailer in six-horse Del Mar Futurity (G1); more obviously needed.

#2 Muth                            *****

Pro: Found only star stablemate Prince of Monaco too much in Del Mar Futurity.

Con: Will this very fast colt have the temperament to last 1 1/16m? 

#3 Next Level                    ***

Pro: Third in Del Mar Futurity at long odds not bad, given his maiden status.

Con: Winless from three tries and likely needs easier.

#4 Wine Me Up                 ****

Pro: Led throughout in debut win sprinting, but bred to appreciate distance.

Con: Barn off to a bit of a slow start at Santa Anita this fall.

#5 Raging Torrent              **

Pro: Avoids Prince of Monaco, who decisively beat him twice at Del Mar.

Con: Has been found wanting so far as the distances have increased.

#6 Be You                          **

Pro: Outfinished highly rated stablemate Locked when second in Saratoga debut. 

Con: Form of his maiden debut took a beating in sub-par Hopeful (G1).

#7 Indispensable               **

Pro: Distant third in debut against a couple of these; eligible to improve.

Con: No match for either Rothschild or El Magnifico last time; needs better.

#8 El Magnifico                  **

Pro: Son of Street Sense has room to improve stretching out to two turns.

Con: Well beaten by Muth and Rothschild; still a maiden.