MUTH became the third Grade 1 winner of the year for Zedan Racing with an impressive victory in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita.

The Bob Baffert trainee was happy to race behind a stablemate for much of the race, sitting just behind Wine Me Up in a tightly compact front group. He made his move as the field raced into the final two furlongs and launched a challenge against that runner for the lead. It wasn’t an easily fought battle, but MUTH was in total control at the top of the stretch and left Wine Me Up behind soon after.

Kept focused on his task in the final furlong, MUTH pulled away to win by 3 ¾ lengths with the third placed finisher nine lengths behind him.

The victory earned him a spot in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile held at the same track.

“I think this is the best horse I’ve ever ridden so far, I mean Cave Rock was one of the best but this one is pretty close, hopefully we can stay healthy and we can get him in the Breeders’ Cup,” jockey Juan Hernadez said.

MUTH is now the winner of two of histhree starts with that lone loss being a second in the Best Pal Stakes (G3). Catching the eye at the juvenile sales, he was a $2 million purchase by Donato Lanni for us from Top Line Sales at the OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds In training earlier this year.