Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said American Pharoah is “on the sharper side”, as this will be his first race since his smooth-striding 5 1/2-length Belmont Stakes presented by DraftKings (gr. I) triumph June 6 in New York.
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Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, who has won seven straight graded stakes races on six different racetracks, gave every indication on Saturday morning that he is primed for Sunday’s Grade 1, $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
Although American Pharoah has had a two-month break after three tough Triple Crown races in a five-week spell, he produced a sparkling workout in Santa Anita before being shipped to Monmouth.
From the moment American Pharoah won the Belmont, Zayat hasn’t wavered in his desire to keep racing his prized horse – even though he’s sold the breeding rights for what could be as much as $30 million, with a stud fee that could be in the $100,000 range.
“We did this to honor the horse”, said Dennis Drazin, an adviser to Darby Development, the management company that operates Monmouth Park for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. The losers? Seattle Slew finished fourth behind J.O. Tobin in the 1977 Swaps Stakes, Omaha ran third to Discovery in the 1935 Brooklyn Handicap, and Sir Barton was second to Purchase in the 1919 Dwyer. A record crowd that could reach 60,000 is anticipated.
“American Pharoah’s connections have always been up front with us, and emphasized that they will always put the interests of the horse first and foremost”, said Martin Panza, the NYRA’s senior vice president of racing operations. “What makes him a great horse is that he can sustain his form”, added Baffert.
American Pharoah has already banked $four, 530,300 for Zayat Stables. A loss could diminish American Pharoah’s chances of coming to Saratoga.
“The way we figure it, with the additional revenue we hope to generate in wagering, it will benefit NYTHA and NYRA and the participants, ” Kay said. His performance there will likely have a bearing on whether he comes to Saratoga.
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Nominations for the Travers will close August 15.
