American Pharoah easily wins first race since Triple Crown victory

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.

American Pharoah was a prohibitive 1-9 pre-race favorite in the field of eight at the 2015 Haskell Invitational on Sunday, per the Courier-Journal’s Jennie Rees. American Pharoah won the Derby by one length over Firing Line. But this horse, what he does, he’s just incredible.

Sunday at Monmouth Park, American Pharoah came out of the final turn with a clear lead and cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory at the William Hill Haskell Invitational.

The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:47.95, and he paid $2.20 to win.

So much so that a lot of those $2 bettors didn’t cash their tickets, choosing to save them as souvenirs. Competitive Edge weakened to fourth in the field of seven, followed by Top Clearance, Dontbetwithbruno and multiple stakes-winner Mr. Jordan, who pressed the pace early on.

The excitement also produced a record handle for the race and for Haskell Day.

“There are lots of options”, said Baffert, who trains American Pharoah for Zayat Stables. The colt then lost six in a row before his next victory and was retired after two races as a 7-year-old. We know how good he is, and he just needs racing luck.

Baffert and Zayat would each receive $200,000 bonuses if American Pharoah runs in Pennsylvania (the bonuses lured Derby and Preakness victor California Chrome last year). After which, he is headed down the street to the breeding shed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud.

Instead, American Pharoah has brought waves of fan interest and media attention to horse racing. The legendary Secretariat was upset twice in the second half of his 3-year-old season, by Onion in the Whitney and by Prove Out in the Woodward. After which, with one overpowering surge he seized management and was alone within the stretch as the gang roared. He was pretty fresh today”, Baffert said, adding with a laugh, “He’s used to running back in two weeks.

“When I run him I was like, shocked”.

“He did everything by himself”, the rider said. Another romp. Another chapter in history and highlight video for Triple Crown victor American Pharoah. There were 30,000 more fans at the Belmont and Monmouth’s announced crowd of 60,983 seemed to be a bit of a stretch to this uneducated crowd counter.

The only moment they were not cheering was when Gov. Chris Christie was introduced in the winner’s circle. Trainer Bob Baffert could hardly hold his emotions. “It was a great crowd. Thank you for being behind Pharoah the whole way”. “But it doesn’t really come into play worrying about the older horses”, said Baffert.

“I’m speechless”, Zayat, a native of New Jersey, told the crowd.

Another is that Baffert has won the 1,800-metre Grade 1 on the deep dirt of the New Jersey racecourse seven times and knows what is required. This is a superstar. He’s touched everybody’s heart, and I’m so great for all of you.

The win has trainer Texas Red’s trainer Keith Desormeaux anticipating a showdown, if not in the Travers, certainly the BC Classic.