Intrepido on his way to the Breeders’ Cup after capturing G1 American Pharoah S.

Maximus Mischief got his second Grade 1 winner of the year Saturday at Santa Anita Park when Intrepido closed with a rush to win the $300,000 American Pharoah S. (G1) by three-quarters of a length over heavily favored Desert Gate, with Plutarch a nose back in third.

The top three finishers are all by Spendthrift stallions, with Desert Gate by Omaha Beach and Plutarch by Into Mischief.

As part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In series, the American Pharoah win assured Intrepido a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on Oct. 31 at Del Mar.

After an even break, Intrepido settled in third around the first turn, with the Bob Baffert duo of Desert Gate battling through early fractions of :22.83 and :46.76. Entering the final turn, Intrepido was boxed in on all sides and didn’t find racing room until after turning for home. Seemingly beat with less than 100 yards to run, Intrepido’s final surge carried him to victory.

“It was a bit of a complicated race at the start,” said winning rider Hector Berrios. “I tried to go to the front, but I saw [Desert Gate] break first, so I settled into second. From the first turn, I had to ease back a little. When I made my move to the outside (at the top of the stretch) he responded, although not very strongly at first. But when I asked him again, he responded and produced an impressive change of pace and flew down the final stretch. He’s an amazing horse.”

Intrepido, who is now 2-0-0 in three starts, has earned $232,800 for co-owners Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC. The bay 2-year-old was bred by Sierra Fria Farm, LLC and sold to his owners for $385,000 at the 2025 OBS Spring sale.

Maximus Mischief, currently third to Omaha Beach and Mitole on the 2025 Third-Crop sire list, is also the sire of this year’s Metropolitan H. (G1) winner Raging Torrent.