American Pharoah brilliant in Grade 2 Rebel S.

American Pharoah turned his highly-anticipated 2015 debut into a one-horse race with a dazzling stretch run in Saturday’s $750,000 Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park.

American Pharoah is the top earner of 2015 for his sire Pioneerof the Nile, who is the leading Third-Crop sire this year. 

The 2014 2-year-old champion, who had been off since winning the Sept. 27 FrontRunner S. (G1), picked up right where he left off in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile outing, going to the front less than 100 yards into the race. Galloping along comfortably under Victor Espinoza over the sealed, wet surface, American Pharoah cut leisurely fractions of :24.41, :49.63 and 1:15.22.

Espinoza gave the colt a nudge at the head of the stretch, and with a swift, powerful move, he quickly pulled clear of the overmatched field, drawing off to win by 6 ¼- length without Espinoza even showing him the whip. The final time was 1:45.78.

American Pharoah has now won all three of his races since losing his debut. He has earned $811,500 for Zayat Stables and also now has 60 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, got for fifth on the current list. The top 20 horses are guaranteed a spot in the Derby starting gate.