From turf to dirt, to victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., the Peter Miller-trained Get Her Number marched to a three-quarter length victory, thus assuring him a fees-paid berth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Nov. 6. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Get Her Number covered 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.92.
A restrained second, one length off of longshot Dyn O Mite around the first turn, Get Her Number settled into a fluid stride down the backside, took command three furlongs out and had a two-length edge on Rombauer three-sixteenth of a mile from home and was not threatened from there.
A first-out five-furlong maiden turf winner on Aug. 14, Get Her Number was most recently fourth, beaten one length in an ungraded one mile turf stakes on Sept. 7 at Del Mar. Off at 8-1 in his first main track try, Get Her Number paid $18.20, $8.20 and $3.40.
Owned by Gary Barber, Get Her Number, who was purchased for $45,000 out of the OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale, picked up $180,000 for the win, increasing his earnings to $219,000.
Sixth in the same race the winner exited on Sept. 7, Rombauer was also trying dirt for the first time and he responded with a big effort for trainer Michael McCarthy, finishing 4 3/4 lengths clear of favored Spielberg. Off at 11-1 with Mike Smith, Rombauer paid $9.60 and $4.40.
Third with no apparent excuses, Spielberg, who was off at even money with Luis Saez, paid $2.40 to show.
It’s worth noting that the winner was very fractious in the saddling paddock, but had no apparent issues once the field came on the track.
Fractions on the race were 23.12, 47.07,1:12.46 and 1:37.97.
The American Pharoah is named for Bob Baffert-trained 2015 Triple Crown winner and is a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” Challenge Race qualifier to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 6 at Keeneland.
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