Tipsheet: American Pharoah Stakes

A field of seven two-year-olds will run 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah S. (G1) at Santa Anita. The winner of the dirt tussle will receive a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1. 

American Pharoah Stakes Picks

• #7 Getaway Car
• #4 Mischief River
• #1 McKinzie Street

American Pharoah Stakes Wagers

• $20 win and place #7 Getaway Car
• $10 exacta 7 with 1,4

#1 MCKINZIE STREET: Tim Yakteen trainee led at every call in a sharp win at Del Mar prior to finishing a clear second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) in his second lifetime appearance. $290,000 juvenile purchase seems capable of handling the distance and has a fine draw on the rail, as well. Regular rider Kaz Kimura retains the mount.

#2 SHOW OF FORCE: Omaha Beach colt was a smart winner on the lawn in his second outing and finished fifth in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3) last time for conditioner Todd Fincher. The Kentucky-bred has pace and route experience, but he will need to take a big step forward in order to challenge this field in his return to the main strip. Umberto Rispoli picks up the ride.

#3 CITIZEN BULL: First of the Baffert trio comes off a third-place result in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and has appeal in his first try around two turns for a dynamic two-year-old trainer. The bay son of Into Mischief will be closer to the pace on this occasion with Martin Garcia in the stirrups.

#4 MISCHIEF RIVER: Best Pal S. (G3) second ran a good one on the lawn in his route bow in advance of Saturday and might be the value of the race. James Glenn pupil has trained forwardly this campaign and will be forcing the pace from the opening bell beneath Cesar Ortega. 

#5 EMERALD BAY: $700,000 Nyquist colt graduated going one mile in his second career performance and appears to have a bright future for Bob Baffert. The Kentucky-bred will need to move forward in order to win the race, but he is bred to run long and will be a late danger if the pace is contested with Antonio Fresu taking the reins. 

#6 START MO UP: Mo Town gelding showed little on debut and looks overmatched in the race.

#7 GETAWAY CAR: Top pick suffered his first setback in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) when tiring to fourth in the stretch, but the Baffert trainee will race with blinkers off and I think that the equipment change will aid the Grade 3 winner. The dark bay son of Curlin zipped a bullet five-eighths in preparation for Saturday and retains go-to pilot Juan Hernandez. I envision the January foal to be prompting the tempo throughout in his route debut.