American Pharoah takes easy win in Oaklawn’s Rebel Stakes (The Associated Press)

American Pharoah, last year’s 2-year-old champion, made his return to the track appear easy Saturday, winning Oaklawn Park’s Rebel Stakes by 6 1/4 lengths despite a loose shoe on a sloppy track. The victory gave trainer Bob Baffert his fifth Rebel victory in six years and moved the Zayat Stables colt to fifth in the Kentucky Derby point standings. American Pharoah bobbled to the left out of the gate – as the shoe came loose – but recovered and took the lead immediately. ”The race, on paper, was his to lose,” owner Ahmed Zayat said.