The American Pharoah Stakes Tipsheet

A talented field of eight juveniles will vie in Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah S. (G1) at Santa Anita on Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile contest will offer an automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile S. (G1) at the same track on November 3 as part of the “Win and You’re In” challenge series. 

American Pharoah Stakes Picks

• #2 Muth
• #1 Rothschild
• #6 Be You
• #8 El Magnifico

American Pharoah Stakes Wagers

• $40 win #2 Muth
• $5 trifecta key 2 with 1,6,8

American Pharoah Stakes Contenders

#1 ROTHSCHILD: $700,000 son of Uncle Mo looked the part during his strong maiden win at Del Mar two back prior to being outrun with Grade 1 foes last time out. Tim Yakteen pupil has trained well in the interim and secured the rail for his route debut, and he's surely one to consider if the top pick falters. Mike Smith will guide the Kentucky-bred. 

#2 MUTH: Baffert pupil was awesome at first asking which preceded a clear second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in his second career appearance. The $2 million juvenile buy has huge upside and is the pace of the race if sent from the break by Juan Hernandez. Good Magic colt will be tough to knock off with slight improvement on Saturday. 

#3 NEXT LEVEL: Steadily improving son of Vino Rosso was an even third in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and rates a chance with a leap forward while making his route debut. The bargain $20,000 purchase is bred to run all day and can’t be overlooked under the guidance of regular pilot Kent Desormeaux. 

#4 WINE ME UP: Second one from the Baffert shedrow led throughout in his debut tally on the Del Mar oval but must get faster to upset this field beneath Ramon Vazquez. $300,000 juvenile buy came home a bit slowly in his first offering, but he is bred to handle a route of ground and can’t be dismissed for a conditioner who is sensational with two-year-olds in general. The chestnut will be in the mix early on. 

#5 RAGING TORRENT: O’Neill trainee adds blinkers coming off of a pair of graded assignments and could be any kind with the equipment change combined with the move to two turns on this occasion. Maximus Mischief colt possesses good tactical speed and will never be far from the pace on the backside with Fresu retaining the ride. 

#6 BE YOU: Maiden from the Pletcher barn flashed potential from a pair of outings at Saratoga and will try to break his maiden at the top level in his second stakes try. Hopeful S. (G1) fourth gives the impression of a horse who is more of a miler, and the move to 1 1/16 miles seems ideal for him with Umberto Rispoli in the silks. 

#7 INDISPENSABLE: Expensive Constitution colt rallied late to be third following a poor break in the maiden ranks and takes the big class jump in this spot. February foal brought $825,000 as a yearling and has trained steadily like a good one for Sadler this campaign, led by a bullet six panels most recently. Franco retains the mount. 

#8 EL MAGNIFICO: Dangerous one from the Desormeaux shedrow has been clear in second in both lifetime runs to date and will go long for the initial time on this occasion. $250,000 son of Street Sense will appreciate the added ground on Saturday and looks like a real danger to the top pick with expected improvement. April foal picks up pilot Hector Berrios, as well.