American Pharoah colt Maven skips straight to Royal Ascot

Maven, a debut-winning son of American Pharoah, may seek to become the Triple Crown champion's first stakes hero when competing June 20 in Royal Ascot's Norfolk Stakes (G2).

Trainer Wesley Ward said Tuesday that Maven, while entered, will bypass Friday’s $150,000 Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park, which is hosting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival weekend.

“If you win at Belmont in a listed stakes, you’re very good,” Ward said. “If you win at Royal Ascot, you’re great. I opt for the latter. I go fishing in a bigger pond to see what happens.”

The Norfolk is a five-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds Ward won last year with Shang Shang Shang and in 2013 with No Nay Never.

American Pharoah, of course, in 2015 swept all three Triple Crown races and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Maven's dam is Richies Party Girl, daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Any Given Saturday.

Campaigned by Richard Ravin, the colt debuted April 19 in a maiden special weight event at Aqueduct. He went out to the lead under jockey Dylan Davis in a 4 ½-furlong sprint, holding off runner-up Lebda by a half-length at the wire.

Maven has since trained at Keeneland. In his most recent work, he breezed four furlongs Sunday in 48.4. seconds.

“He’s a fast colt,” Ward said. “He’s growing. He’s a late foal (May 24, 2017) so he’s catching up to the others. I’m thinking he’s going to run a big race over there. I’m really excited.”