Basquiat A Smart Debut Winner For American Pharoah

It was another debut winner for American Pharoah on Saturday when Basquiat (3c American Pharoah x Divalarious, by Distorted Humor) won for breeder/owner Peter Brant.

Running over seven furlongs on dirt half-way through the card, Basquiat raced a few paths wide behind the leader in a tightly bunched field soon out of the gate. Dropping a few lengths behind the leading pack around the turn, jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. had to get after his mount. Once Basquiat extended his stride, he was off and took over the lead in midstretch.

Ortiz, Jr. put away the stick once they had the lead and let Basquiat roll home under a hand ride. It was a smart debut for the Chad Brown-trainee with Basquiat winning by an easy 1 ½ lengths at the line.

One of four winners from four to race out of Listed placed Divalarious, Basquiat is a grandson of Listed winner and top producer Alidiva. The dam of three champions, Alidiva produced four-time Group I winner Tapian, classic winner Sleepytime and Group I winner Ali-royal. A truly outstanding family, this is also the family of Australia Group I winner It’s Somewhat with 28 stakes horses under Basquiat’s first two dams.

Last year’s Champion Freshman Sire, American Pharoah is the sire of 38 winners and six stakes winners including Grade II winner Four Wheel Drive and Sweet Melania.