American Pharoah romps in Haskell Invitational

All the worrying about how American Pharoah would run in his next race after winning the Triple Crown was all for nothing.

On Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, American Pharoah took to the track for the first time since winning the Belmont Stakes (G1) and capturing the 12th Triple Crown in history and made it look easy in the $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational (G1).

American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza riding, romped to victory in the $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park in New Jersey on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015. (Photo by Jessie Holmes / EquiSportPhotos.com)

In front of the largest crowd in Monmouth Park history – 60,983 screaming fans – American Pharoah broke from post position four with his regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard, bobbled just a little, then quickly recovered and took up a stalking position just to the outside of race leader Competitive Edge around the first turn, down the back stretch and into the final turn.

Then, as he rounded the final turn, American Pharoah exploded near the end of the turn, took the lead by the quarter pole and then charged down the stretch opening up a huge lead by the midpoint of the stretch.

At that point, Espinoza slowed him down to save energy for whatever his next race would be, which let Keen Ice begin to catch up and made fans a bit nervous for just a second.

However, there was never any doubt as to who the winner would be in the race, as American Pharoah crossed the finish a 2-1/4-length victor.

Finishing second in the seven-horse race for 3-year-olds was Keen Ice, while Upstart finished third.

“It was pretty easy,” said Espinoza. “For me the key was just coming out of there running. I didn’t want to get into any bumping out of the gate. I just wanted to let him run his race. 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 (American Pharoah) did everything by himself. It was pretty easy. Pretty impressive.”

Rounding out the field was Competitive Edge in fourth, followed by Top Clearance, Dontbetwithbruno, and Mr. Jordan

American Pharoah, who is by Pioneerof the Nile out of Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman, ran the 1-1/8th-mile race on the dirt rated fast in 1:47.95.

If Espinoza had not slowed American Pharoah down he not only would have won by a wider margin, but, according to MonmouthPark.com, he would have broken "the Haskell stakes record of 1:47 flat (held jointly by Majestic Light and Bet Twice)."

American Pharoah's time was also only one second slower than the "track record of 1:46 4/5 set by Spend a Buck in 1985 and equaled by Jolie’s Halo in 1992."

American Pharoah's trainer, Bob Baffert, who has now won the Haskell eight times, was a bit nervous prior to the race, but was very well relieved afterwards.

“I was so nervous today,” said Baffert. “I was pretty anxious. I was more nervous than any time I’ve run him. He got a little stirred up in the paddock. He was pretty fresh because he’s had a lot of time between races. I wanted him sharp today because I knew the pace was going to be fast.

“Competitive Edge, he’s a fast horse. He was just cruising. Down the backside, I saw Victor had a hold of Pharoah and I looked at those fast fractions, but it looked like he was going in :48. It’s something that every time we run him or work him, he’s just getting stronger and better."

Baffert is truly enjoying his moments with American Pharoah. He realizes how special this horse is and has just been taking everything in as this race season has gone along.

“What I saw was amazing. I watched like a fan today," said Baffert. "I’m looking at this horse like, where did he come from? I’ve had some really nice horses, but this horse, what he does is just incredible. He makes me emotional because he’s a gift from God.”

Owned by Zayat Stables, it was the eighth-straight win for American Pharoah, giving him eight wins and $5,630,300 in nine career starts.

In addition, the Haskell was a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" race, so American Pharoah has a starting spot waiting for him in the Breeders Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

At this time, Ahmed Zayat, owner of Zayat Stables, and Baffert are undecided on what their horse's next race will be. Possibilities include the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 29 and the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Sept. 19 at Parx Racing.

The ultimate goal, of course, is the Breeders' Cup Classic, where it is expected that this great champion will make the final start of his career before heading to stud right up the street at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky.

(Information provided by EquiBase.com, MonmouthPark.com, BloodHorse.com, and PedigreeQuery.com.)