American Pharoah Will Race Again After Loss at Travers Stakes

American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat announced Thursday he's reversing course and now expects the Triple Crown winner to continue racing despite his loss in the Travers Stakes.

Bob Ehalt of ESPN reports Zayat, who originally stated Pharoah would likely retire after getting edged by Keen Ice at Saratoga last weekend, changed his mind after conversations with his team. The goal is now to participate in one of horse racing's richest races.

"I have discussed all aspects of American Pharoah's race last Saturday in the Travers—and his condition since the race—with our whole team, and have decided American Pharoah deserves another chance, so we are pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic," Zayat said.

This year's Classic will be held at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, the state where the popular champion was bred. The annual $5 million showcase, which is set for Oct. 31, usually attracts one of the most star-studded fields in racing.

All signs point toward that being the case again in a couple months. Jonathan Lintner of the Courier-Journal noted new rival Keen Ice as well as Honor Code, Tonalist, Noble Bird, Gleneagles and Mare Beholder are among the possible contenders for this year's race.

Zayat maintained throughout the process following the Triple Crown that he wanted to keep racing Pharoah because the sport needs stars. While that's true, questions have been raised about continuing to race him after selling his breeding rights early.

Of course, the concern is Pharoah could get hurt and negatively impact his future. But, at least for now, the focus shifts to the Classic.

It's a chance at redemption for the colt. He didn't showcase the same type of finishing flurry at the Travers as he did during the Triple Crown races or at the Haskell. A victory against what will likely be a loaded field would show the loss was nothing more than a bad afternoon, a fluke.

First, he ended a Triple Crown drought that lasted four decades. Now he'll try to solidify his place among the all-time greats with a triumph in the Breeders' Cup Classic.