Royal Act Third Winner of Weekend for American Pharoah

It was three winners in three days for American Pharoah on Sunday when the stallion’s son Royal Act (2c American Pharoah x True Feelings, by Latent Heat) won on debut at Del Mar as the favorite.

Going a mile on firm turf, the Peter Eurton-trained Royal Act raced just behind the leaders with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard. As the field entered the far turn, Royal Act made his move for the lead and had a battle on his hands from that point on. The colt wasn’t willing to give up and started pulling away in the stretch to win by half a length.

A $500,000 Keeneland September Sale purchase by Mayberry Farm from breeder Stonehaven Steadings, Royal Act races for C R K Stable.

Royal Act is out of Grade III-placed True Feelings, who is also a half-sister to the dam of Champion Wait A While, and out of a half-sister to the dam of dual-Champion and Coolmore America sire Looking At Lucky. With Royal Act’s victory, True Feelings now has two winners from two to race. She visited another Triple Crown winner this season when covered by Justify as part of his first book of mares.

American Pharoah’s three winners this weekend takes his total up to 23 winners for the season, the most of any freshman sire in America this year. The stallion also had nine stakes horses led by four stakes winners and three additional Grade I placed horses.