Study Guide: 2025 American Pharoah Stakes

Sep 30, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Desert Gate winning the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)

A small but promising six-horse field has turned out to contest Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah (G1), the first of four 2025-26 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers taking place at Santa Anita.

Four of the six entrants are conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Kentucky Derby (G1) a record-equaling six times.

Let’s take a horse-by-horse tour through the entries:

Desert Gate

Desert Gate winning the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman
Breeder: Twin Oaks Bloodstock
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez

Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $186,000

Sire: Omaha Beach
Dam: Theogony
Color: Chestnut

Desert Gate is the most accomplished American Pharoah entrant. After winning his first two starts, including the Best Pal (G3), he overcame a stumbling start and early traffic trouble to finish second by one length in the Del Mar Futurity (G1). With a clean trip on Saturday, Desert Gate will be a formidable win contender.

Intrepido

Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures
Breeder: Sierra Fria Farm
Trainer: Jeff Mullins
Jockey: Hector Berrios

Top Speed Rating: (89) when winning a Del Mar maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $52,800

Sire: Maximus Mischief
Dam: Overly Indulgent
Color: Bay

Intrepido never factored in his debut sprinting, but he improved nicely when stretching out over one mile for his second start, defeating Plutarch by 3 1/4 lengths. He finished quickly in that race and should enjoy running 1 1/16 miles in the American Pharoah. A top-three finish is a possibility.

Plutarch

Start(s): 2
Wins: 0
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Orpendale/Cheslton/Wynatt
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura

Top Speed Rating: (85) when finishing second in a Del Mar maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $36,000

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Stellar Wind
Color: Bay

Plutarch might be 0-for-2, but he’s run well in both his starts. After finishing second to Intrepido in a maiden special weight, Plutarch stepped up in class for the Del Mar Juvenile Turf (G3) and rallied from far behind to finish second by 1 1/2 lengths. This beautifully bred son of Into Mischief and champion Stellar Wind is progressing in the right direction and may outrun expectations in the American Pharoah.

Civil Liberty

Start(s): 2
Wins: 0
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Great Friends Stables and Mark D. Davis
Breeder: St. Simon Place
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Top Speed Rating: (92) when finishing third in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $52,000

Sire: Independence Hall
Dam: Love and Respect
Color: Dark bay/brown

Like Plutarch, Civil Liberty has yet to win a race. But he finished a respectable third (3 1/4 lengths behind Desert Gate) in the Del Mar Futurity, earning a 92 Brisnet Speed rating. Another top-three finish is a possibility in the American Pharoah.

Balboa

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stables, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Top Speed Rating: (91) when winning a Del Mar maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $63,600

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Tap of War
Color: Bay

Balboa was tons the best in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight during the summer at Del Mar, dominating by 7 3/4 lengths. But he regressed in the Del Mar Futurity, finishing a distant fifth. He’ll need a rebound to challenge in the American Pharoah.

Kristofferson

Kristofferson wins at Del Mar. (Photo by horsephotos.com)

Start(s): 1
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Candy Meadows
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning a Del Mar maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $48,000

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Impasse
Color: Bay

Purchased for $1.15 million last year, Kristofferson kicked off his racing career on a winning note, leading all the way to win a six-furlong maiden special weight in the fast time of 1:08.83. The 99 Brisnet Speed rating he earned is the highest number in the American Pharoah field. As a son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Kristofferson has the potential to improve while stretching out over 1 1/16 miles. He has a strong chance to upset Desert Gate.