The imposing American Pharoah will head into his stall on Saturday afternoon as the betting favorite for the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby.
The colt is currently the 13-5 betting favorite at the sportsbooks to win the Run for the Roses.
A winner of four straight starts, the colt has been one of the betting favorites for the Kentucky Derby since last September after taking back-to-back Grade 1 wins as a juvenile.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the colt ran fifth against maidens in his debut. Baffert thought enough of the colt to enter him next in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and he did not disappoint, posting his first career victory and returning his backers $8.40 for a $2 wager.
The colt was sent off as the betting favorite in his next start in the Frontrunner Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita and the colt took the field gate to wire, drawing clear to win by 3 ¼ lengths.
Next up was supposed to be the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) where he was going to be the morning line favorite, but a foot bruise forced Baffert to scratch him just days before the race.
Fast forward five months and the colt showed up at Oaklawn Park for the Rebel Stakes (G2) and he stamped himself a ticket to Louisville with a 6 ¼ length victory.
He shipped back to Oaklawn Park for the Arkansas Derby (G1) and again he trounced his competition, winning by eight lengths. His early Derby betting price plunged to as low as 2-1 after his impressive victory.
Baffert is seeking his fourth win in the Kentucky Derby and first since War Emblem took home the roses in 2002. Baffert also won in back to back years with Silver Charm in 1997 and Real Quiet in 1998.
The favorite will get a test from his stablemate Dortmund, the undefeated son of 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown. The colt is the second choice in early Kentucky Derby betting at odds of 15-4.
The colt has won all six of his starts, taking the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his last outing with jockey Martin Garcia aboard.