Winning Double for American Pharoah
It’s been a big couple of days for Triple Crown hero American Pharoah with a new stakes-winner in Another Miracle (2c American Pharoah x Retraceable, by Medaglia D’Oro) and two new winners on Saturday in American Butterfly (2c American Pharoah x Gracie’s Butterfly, by War Front) and American Legend (2f American Pharoah x Yong Musician, by Yonaguska).
Having his second start at Saratoga on Saturday, the D Wayne Lucas trained colt American Butterfly (pictured) improved sharply on his unplaced debut at the same location last month.
He vied for the lead from the outset and surged clear over the concluding stages to win the six and a half furlong by two and a half lengths.
American Butterfly is the first winner for Gracie’s Butterfly, a winning half-sister to stakes-winner Manuka Honey from stakes-winner Al Max Diner.
Later in the day the Bernard Flint trained filly American Legend scored a two and a half length win in the five furlong maiden at Ellis Park, improving on her debut second at the same venue last month.
A $200,000 purchase from the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale, American Legend is a half-sister to stakes-placed Kingdom Road and Co Cola from Yong Musician, a half-sister to Champion Canadian 3YO Filly Kimchi.
American Butterfly and American Legend are the eighth and ninth winners for American Pharoah, whose first runners are racing up a storm on both sides of the Atlantic with Saqqara King (2c American Pharoah x Joyful Victory, by Tapit) also finishing second in a Listed race at Deauville on Saturday.