MCKINZIE STREET, CITIZEN BULL LEAD A FIELD OF 7 SET FOR SATURDAY’S GI, $300,000 AMERICAN PHAROAH STAKES PRESENTED BY DK HORSE AT SANTA ANITA

The 1 1/16-mile dirt test for 2-year-olds is a “Win and You’re In” for next month’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 2, 2024)—McKinzie Street, runner-up in the GI Del Mar Futurity Sept. 2 at Del Mar, headlines a field of seven 2-year-olds entered in Saturday’s GI, $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes presented by DK Horse at Santa Anita. The American Pharoah is one of five stakes on Santa Anita's Oak Tree Day and is a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

McKinzie Street, trained by Tm Yakteen, finished 1 ¾ lengths behind winner Gaming in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity. Like most in the American Pharoah field, this will be McKinzie’s Street’s first time racing around two turns.

By McKinzie, McKinzie Street previously went gate-to-wire when winning his debut going 5 ½ furlongs a Del Mar July 28. Earlier this year at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds, McKinzie Street was purchased for $290,000 by owners Pierre Amestoy, Leslie Amestoy and Roger K. Beasley.

Jockey Kazushi Kimura has been aboard McKinzie Street in both previous efforts and retains the mount on Saturday.

Joining McKinzie Street from the Del Mar Futurity are third-place finisher Citizen Bull and fourth-place finisher Getaway Car, both trained by Bob Baffert and owned by the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables et al.

Citizen Bull was bet down to the 6-5 favorite in the Futurity and was never a factor when finishing third under Mike Smith. The Into Mischief colt, a $675,000 auction buy as a yearling, previously won his debut at Del Mar by three-quarters of a length going 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 17.

Citizen Bull has had a pair of quick five furlong works at Santa Anita since the Futurity, including a move in 59.20 seconds on Sunday. He will have the services of Martin Garcia.

Getaway Car dueled for the early lead in the Futurity and then weakened in the stretch to finish fourth. The colt by Curlin, a $700,000 auction buy as a yearling, previously went gate-to-wire winning both his debut going 5 furlongs July 20 and the GIII Best Pal going six furlongs Aug. 11, both at Del Mar.

Getaway Car will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, who has been aboard in all three previous starts.

THE GI AMERICAN PHAROAH WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 9 of 10 - Approximate post time 5 p.m. PT

1. McKinzie Street - Kazushi Kimura - 122
2. Show of Force - Umberto Rispoli - 122
3. Citizen Bull - Martin Garcia - 122
4. Mischief River - Cesar Ortega - 122
5. Emerald Bay - Antonio Fresu - 122
6. Start Mo Up - Serafin Carmona - 122
7. Getaway Car - Juan Hernandez - 122

First post time for a 10 race card, which includes five stakes is 1p.m. PT, admission gates open at 11 a.m.