HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Calumet Farm’s Kentucky Pharoah, a 3-year-old chestnut son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, led throughout under jockey Julien Leparoux to win the $75,000 Dania Beach Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Returning off a similar gate-to-wire victory just two weeks ago to break his maiden in his third start, Kentucky Pharoah covered a firm mile turf course in 1:34.07. Fighting Force, the 3-5 favorite, was second and Cave Hill third.
“Fantastic ride,” said trainer Jack Sisterson of Leparoux’s ride. “We really put it in Kentucky Pharoah’s hands whether he could come back in two weeks. He’s energetic. He was either going to breeze [Sunday] at Palm Meadows, and he probably would have breezed too quick, so why not run him instead.”
Leparoux was challenged going into the first turn by Fighting Force from the inside but he cleared going around the first turn and set fractions of :23.60, :46.80 and 1:10.47 before driving to the finish line.
“The favorite was inside of us and he wanted to go too, so I just wanted to make sure I was in front of him on the first turn,” Leparoux said. “After that, it was just a question of getting him to relax, and he did. Coming back in two weeks is never easy, but we like this horse a lot. He proved us right today.”
Photo Credit: Lauren King
