Keen Ice was second.
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A slight nudge was all it took for American Pharoah to seize control of the Haskell Invitational.
“He’s just holding his form, which is pretty incredible for a horse that has been through what he has been through”, Baffert said. I love bringing my horses here. Jockey Victor Espinoza’s smile could not be wiped off his face.
Trainer Bob Baffert captured his record-extending eighth Haskell win in the $1.75 million race, and an awesome fifth in the last six years. He paid $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.
KEEN ICE (12-1) rallied for third in the Belmont Stakes and might be able to do it again in his first try since finishing 7 1/2 lengths behind American Pharoah. Both suggested the timing of the race-relative to how American Pharoah bounces out of the Haskell when he returns to Southern California-will factor big in their decision.
Trainer Bob Baffert and Justin Zayat, the son of Ahmed Zayat, American Pharoah’s owner, each have said that the thoroughbred could run in the Travers on August 29, the premier stakes race at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs.
In the end, every race American Pharoah runs between now and the October 31 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is scheduled to be his final start, is a gift to horse racing and its fans. Then he is headed down the street to the breeding shed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud. After talks with William Hill, the British oddsmaker and the Haskell’s sponsor, the Monmouth brass came up with an idea to approach tracks in other states to run a series of three lucrative races. Even the best Triple Crown competition, and the others who tried to pull the upset at Monmouth Park couldn’t even come close. Espinoza stored his horse in second till halfway on the far flip. The margin of victory could have been much bigger had Espinoza asked his horse to run. The feisty Crawford said: “I’m excited to see American Pharoah in the Travers. And I was having fun”.
Poor old Untapable just can’t seem to get it right this year. “I was nervous because I have never had a situation where we didn’t want to do anything to embarrass the horse”.
“We’ve achieved everything with him”, said Zayat, an Egyptian businessman who lives with his family in Teaneck, N.J.
American Pharoah’s Belmont win meant he was the 12th horse to land the Triple Crown, the first having been Sir Barton in 1919. That’s because risk exists in the subsequent races for Triple Crown winners. The Triple Crown hero used E-ZPass in the $1.75-million Haskell Invitational while his opponents scrambled for loose change. It’s a great crowd. I might as well put a Global Positioning System on him.
Post time is 5:52 p.m.
The sound from the crowd was all-encompassing as American Pharoah turned for home with a convincing lead. “We owe it to the horse to have him ready for a peak performance”. “I’m extremely proud and humbled”.
Boo birds: As loud as the cheers were for American Pharoah, the boos for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were equally as overwhelming when he was introduced as part of the trophy presentation. A Monmouth University poll from early July found that most New Jerseyans want him to resign now that he is running for president. This is a superstar. In London, he said he was recognized by a salesperson in Harrod’s who told him, “I know you from the TV”.
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The welcome mat for American Pharoah and his connections has been extended and there are any number of viable options and enticements.
