American Cleopatra, a 2-year-old full sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, was simply sensational in her Sunday debut at Del Mar, cruising to a two-length win under a hand ride by Stewart Elliot.
Like American Pharoah, homebred American Cleopatra is trained by Bob Baffert and is out of Zayat Stables' mare Littleprincessemma, by Pioneerof the Nile.
American Cleopatra, who assumed command at the top of the stretch after pressing the pacesetter War Factor early, covered the 5 ½-furlongs in a sparkling 1:03.38 (
VIDEO).
“I knew she was fit enough; those are really good genes,” Baffert said on TVG afterward. “She did something he (American Pharoah) couldn't do, win first time out. She won't race again until the (Del Mar) Debutante (G1, $300,000, 7 furlongs, Sept. 3).