American Butterfly Gives Pharoah Saturday Double

American Butterfly (3c American Pharoah x Gracie’s Butterfly, by War Front) gave American Pharoah the second half of a winning double on Saturday with an Allowance victory at Ellis Park hours after Ima Pharoah broke his maiden at Saratoga.

Racing over six furlongs on a sloppy track, American Butterfly raced near the front of the main body of the field as the leader opened up multiple lengths. American Butterfly was ready to pounce when the leader started to face, racing wide into the stretch to have clear running in the center of the track. Showing why bettors had his odds at even money, American Butterfly was given a hand ride while easily pulling away to win by 7½ lengths with Joseph Talamo aboard.

Taking his earnings over the $200,000 mark for owner Les Wagner and trainer D. Wayne Lukas, American Butterfly has finished in the top three in nine of his 14 starts.

The Edward S. Robbins-bred colt is the second foal for the winning Gracie’s Butterfly, who is a daughter of Listed winning Al Max Diner and half-sister to Listed winning Manuka Honey. This is also the family of Canadian champion Numerous Times and Peru Champion Tomcito among others.

One of three winners from four to race by American Pharoah out of War Front mares, American Butterfly is bred on the same cross as last weekend’s Grade III winner Turned Aside.

American Butterfly continues a top nine days for American Pharoah, who has had nine winners in three different countries during the period.