Clever Again

Connections

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith
Breeders: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Clever Again: 2025 Preakness Stakes Contender Profile

Clever Again, a 3-year-old colt by American Pharoah out of Flattering, enters the 2025 Preakness Stakes with a promising 2-for-3 record, including a dominant victory in the Hot Springs Stakes on March 30, 2025, at Oaklawn Park. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, a two-time Preakness winner, Clever Again showcased his potential with a gate-to-wire win by 4 lengths in the Hot Springs Stakes, defeating Grade 1 winner Gaming. His pedigree, combining Triple Crown winner American Pharoah with the stamina-laden Galileo mare Flattering, positions him as a serious contender for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17, 2025.

Pedigree

Clever Again
├── Sire: American Pharoah
│   ├── Sire: Pioneerof the Nile
│   └── Dam: Littleprincessemma
└── Dam: Flattering
    ├── Sire: Galileo
    └── Dam: Pikaboo

1st Generation Pedigree

• Sire: American Pharoah
  American Pharoah, the 2015 Triple Crown winner, achieved historic victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, and added the Breeders’ Cup Classic to his resume. Standing at Ashford Stud for $100,000 in 2025, he has sired Grade 1 winners like Cafe Pharoah (2021 February Stakes) and Above the Curve (2022 Prix Saint-Alary). Known for producing runners with speed and stamina, American Pharoah’s progeny excel at classic distances, making him a perfect fit for Clever Again’s Preakness aspirations.
• Dam: Flattering
  Flattering, by Galileo, is a winning mare whose racing career included a victory at 1 1/8 miles, showcasing her stamina. As a broodmare, she has produced stakes-placed foals, with Clever Again being her standout progeny. Her sire, Galileo, is renowned for passing on durability and classic distance aptitude, which complements American Pharoah’s speed, enhancing Clever Again’s ability to handle the 1 3/16-mile Preakness distance.

2nd Generation Pedigree

• American Pharoah’s Parents (Clever Again’s Paternal Grandparents)
  American Pharoah’s sire is Pioneerof the Nile, a Grade 1 winner by Empire Maker who finished second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and sired American Pharoah as his most notable foal. Pioneerof the Nile’s progeny are known for their stamina, with American Pharoah and Classic Empire (2017 Arkansas Derby winner) among his best. American Pharoah’s dam is Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman, an unplaced mare who produced American Pharoah as her standout foal. Littleprincessemma’s family includes Grade 1 winner Storm Wolf, adding depth to the pedigree. This paternal line provides Clever Again with a strong foundation for middle distances, ideal for the Preakness.
• Flattering’s Parents (Clever Again’s Maternal Grandparents)
  Flattering’s sire is Galileo, a Sadler’s Wells son and one of the most influential sires in history, with 12 Epsom Derby winners, including Frankel and Ruler of the World. Galileo’s progeny, like Found (2016 Breeders’ Cup Turf) and Serpentine (2020 Epsom Derby), excel at 1 1/4 miles and beyond, passing on stamina that benefits Clever Again for the Preakness distance. Flattering’s dam is Pikaboo, by Pivotal, a winning mare whose limited racing career included a victory at 7 furlongs. Pikaboo is a half-sister to stakes-placed runners, and her Pivotal lineage adds a touch of speed to Flattering’s stamina-heavy Galileo influence, creating a balanced maternal line for Clever Again.

Additional Notes on Clever Again’s Pedigree

• Paternal Line (American Pharoah): American Pharoah’s sire, Pioneerof the Nile, and grandsire, Empire Maker, provide a blend of stamina and class, with Empire Maker siring 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker. Littleprincessemma’s contribution, while modest in her racing career, includes a family with Grade 1 performers, supporting Clever Again’s ability to handle the Preakness’s 1 3/16 miles, as evidenced by American Pharoah’s own Triple Crown success.
• Maternal Line (Flattering): Galileo, Flattering’s sire, is a cornerstone of stamina in Thoroughbred breeding, with his progeny dominating classic races worldwide. Flattering’s dam, Pikaboo, by Pivotal, introduces speed through Pivotal’s sprint-oriented lineage, which includes Group 1 winners like Golden Apples. Flattering herself was a capable middle-distance runner, earning a win at 1 1/8 miles, and her Galileo-Pivotal cross supports Clever Again’s front-running style and ability to stretch out. The American Pharoah-Galileo cross is rare but potent, combining American speed with European stamina, aligning with Clever Again’s 4-length Hot Springs Stakes win at 1 mile.
• Pedigree Fit for the Preakness: Clever Again’s 2-for-3 record, with a gate-to-wire Hot Springs Stakes victory (1 mile in 1:36.12), demonstrates his tactical speed and ability to carry it over a mile. His sire American Pharoah’s Triple Crown pedigree, combined with Galileo’s classic distance influence, makes him well-suited for the 1 3/16-mile Preakness. The front-running style shown in his recent races, paired with his pedigree’s stamina, suggests he can handle Pimlico’s tight turns and shorter distance compared to the Kentucky Derby.

Clever Again’s Race Record

Notes:

• Career Record: 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds in 3 starts.
• Career Earnings: $198,400.
• Running Style: Front-runner with tactical speed, capable of leading gate-to-wire, as shown in the Hot Springs Stakes.
• Clever Again debuted at Keeneland in April 2024, narrowly missing victory by a head in a 4.5-furlong sprint. After a 10-month break, he returned in February 2025 to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden race by 3 ¼ lengths, followed by a commanding 4-length win in the Hot Springs Stakes, defeating Grade 1 winner Gaming. His lightly raced profile and recent improvement make him a dangerous contender.