Triple Crown victor American Pharoah with Jorge Alvarez up trains at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Saturday, August 1, 2015.
“People are going to be talking about being there the day American Pharoah ran at Monmouth Park in the Haskell”. The history books will say American Pharoah won by 2 1/4 lengths.
The first Triple Crown victor in 37 years enhanced his reputation, if that was possible.
The win was trainer Bob Baffert’s eighth in the Haskell.
“It’s fantastic what he’s been through (and) is still right there just holding his form….”
Trainer Bob Baffert, who won his eighth Haskell and his fifth in the last six years, was not ready to commit to where American Pharoah will run next.
At times, Team Pharoah has been criticized for running where it can make the most money before retirement, but Baffert and Zayat insist that’s not the case. “I may have not looked nervous but believe me I was”.
The Haskell’s purse was raised from $1 million to $1.75 million on Wednesday, after owner and New Jersey Native Ahmed Zayat decided to enter American Pharoah in his home track’s signature race. He paid $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.
Competitive Edge, meanwhile, is 8/1 to win Race No. 12 while Keen Ice is 12/1 and Mr. Jordan is 15/1.
The Haskell track record of nine furlongs in 1:47, set twice since the race’s inaugural running in 1968, stood.
American Pharoah didn’t disappoint Sunday in his return to the races.
The main contenders seem to be the Travers at Saratoga (Aug. 29) in four weeks or the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx (Sept. 19), both restricted to 3-year-olds. “It’s basically a plan with muscles that we utilized in the past for Haskell, and just added more power”, Lt. Michael Kelly, Oceanport Police Department said. After which, he is headed down the street to the breeding shed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud.
And while his Pace Figures are hovering around 73, you might see a horse whose spirit gets tempted against this field. And then, American Pharoah took off and was all alone in the stretch.
The Play: Top Contender-expected to be the easiest of winners, the real bet is whether he will go over or under the MOV (margin of victory line) of 5.5 lengths. Espinoza only asked him for run briefly on the far turn, and the entire stretch was a mere canter down the lane. “I’m gonna keep chasin’ him”, Romans said. I knew that other horse (Competitive Edge) would want to take the lead, so I sat back just a little bit, maybe a half-length behind. He did everything by himself. “It was pretty easy”.
American Pharoah opened his profession with a loss, however has gained eight in a row since – seven of them Grade 1 races.
Count Fleet did not run again after winning the Belmont in 1943 because of a leg injury. Fans of Saratoga Race Course are hoping that next start will be the $1.25 Travers Stakes. With the $1.1 million payday within the Haskell, the son of Pioneerof the Nile’s profession earnings soared to $5.6 million.
Also in attendance was N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, who was roundly booed when introducedd in the winner’s circle. It’s a great crowd.
“The horse is fine”, he said.
