American Pharoah will race at Mommouth Park in the $1 million Haskell Invitational August 2, the Triple Crown winner’s first start since winning the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown June 6. Connections are hoping for a similar finish to the racing career of the first horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes since 1978.
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“I’ve chose to do the logical step and run American Pharoah at Monmouth”, Zayat said. No horse has won both the Haskell and Travers since Point Given. “He’s told us he’s happy”.
“We were all waiting to see how American Pharoah worked and for me to give the OK”, Baffert told ESPN.
“It always bothered me that Secretariat got beat by Onion”, Zayat said. I am aware of the historic perspective of Saratoga.
While Zayat seems to be stumping for Saratoga, Baffert is not going to commit to anything.
Aside from all of the celebrations, there has been one question that just wouldn’t go away; where will American Pharoah run next?
“It’s David and Goliath, all the things you can think of, ” trainer Ed Plesa said Friday morning. “Everyone knew that was pretty much the obvious choice. He is so well liked”.
The stud fee of American Pharoah’s sire, Pioneerof the Nile, is to rise from $60,000 to between $125,000 and $150,000, WinStar Farm told ESPN. After that, if all goes well, a new target will be made. “It’s all about the horse and how he’s doing”. “We only plan a month out”.
“We’re getting ready for the biggest day in the history of Monmouth Park”.
Pharoah’s trainer, Bob Baffert, has won the 1 ¹/₈-mile Haskell a record seven times – including previous year with Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Bayern.
But for now, the focus of the horse-racing world will center on the Jersey Shore.
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Zayat and his family live in Teaneck, New Jersey, and he’s a huge supporter of racing in the state and Baffert has won the race a record seven times. Similar bonus money is being talked about for the Pennsylvania Derby should Zayat and Baffert opt to send American Pharoah to Parx on September 19. “I can understand that thought process because it is a big picture and people have to look after their own horses. But I want Monmouth to promise me that they will put on a show like no other that the fans will have a blast”.
