Meet American Pharoah’s horsey BFF — a 6-year-old gelding raised in western Nebraska

[Omaha Steve]

ADAM COGLIANESE
American Pharoah, left, with Smokey, a 6-year-old buckskin gelding from Bayard, Nebraska. After Smokey was bought in December, the two quickly became friends.

http://www.omaha.com/sports/meet-american-pharoah-s-horsey-bff-a--year-old/article_a5a12c5b-afe0-5522-997e-7321a05d061f.html

POSTED: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015 1:30 AM
By Mike Patterson / World-Herald staff writer

It could be argued that a horse raised in western Nebraska played a role in American Pharoah’s march to the Triple Crown.
And we’re not just blowing smoke.

Smokey, a 6-year-old gelding from the Dan Twombly ranch in Bayard, provided a calming influence for Pharoah. That colt won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness before breaking the 37-year Triple Crown drought Saturday by capturing the Belmont Stakes for trainer Bob Baffert.

Baffert purchased Smokey from Twombly for $41,000 at a Las Vegas horse sale in December. The trainer bought the quarter horse for his own personal use, but Smokey proved to be something much more.

He was the perfect companion for Pharoah, who was set to embark on Thoroughbred racing history. The horses became pals, and it was unusual to see a stable photo of Pharoah without Smokey nearby.

FULL story at link.



THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bob Baffert, trainer for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, rides Smokey, a quarter horse he bought from Bayard, Nebraska.

[riderinthestorm]

1. Not super unusual for high strung Thoroughbreds to get attached to a calming companion

Though most horses have to settle for a goat instead of a $41,000 Quarter Horse!

[LWolf]

2. When Baffert wants a horse to ride,

he buys a quarter horse.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. I hope they get to remain friends for life