American Pharoah dominates Haskell Invitational

But Iowan-owned Keen Ice is gaining on him.

American Pharoah cruised to a win in the Haskell Invitational in New Jersey Sunday, fueling anticipation that the first Triple Crown victor in 37 years could run in the Travers next.

American Pharoah didn’t exert a lot of effort in routing the field in Sunday’s triumph at the Haskell Invitational. That’s just an fantastic horse.

Baffert and owner Zayat Stables haven’t announced when American Pharoah might run again.

“I need to get in ideal position to take a picture of him”, said McCann’s wife, Janet. He went off as a 1-9 favorite.

When it was finally time for the big race and the moment of truth that everyone had been waiting for, there was not an inch of room on the apron, as everyone crowded as close as they could to the track, anxious for a glimpse of American Pharoah.

The colt then lost six in a row before his next victory and was retired after two races as a 7-year-old.

If all goes according to plan, American Pharoah will run his final race in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, on October. 31. And then, hes headed down the road to the breeding shed at Coolmores Ashford Stud.

After winning the first four races of his career in a 32-day span – the Derby, Preakness, Withers and Belmont – Sir Barton finished three lengths behind Purchase in the Dwyer at Aqueduct. Competitive Edge used his speed to take the lead leaving the gate. Espinoza kept his horse in second until midway on the far turn. The final margin of victory could have been 10 lengths if Espinoza asked him.

“He did everything by himself”, Espinoza said.

“I know when I get home, Del Mar, they’re going to be putting a lot of pressure on me [to race there], too”, Baffert said with a chuckle. There’s no guarantee where he’s going to run next because he has to tell me, ‘Hey, I’m ready. “It was pretty easy”. Ironically, the Kentucky Derby was probably the “worst” race he ran during this winning streak, and that’s just because he looked like he actually had to try a little bit.

Of the 11 other Triple Crown winners, 10 returned to racing and seven of them won.

Violette said there was discussion about offering a $2 million Travers purse to draw American Pharoah before the $1.6 million was settled upon.

After the race, he was led back to the stall he’s been staying in at trainer Kelly Breen’s barn on the Monmouth Park backstretch.

The feat provided an energizing jolt to a sport struggling in the United States, and trainer Bob Baffert admitted Sunday that prepping the colt for his first post-Triple Crown start had been a “nerve-wracking” experience. “It was a great crowd”.

Instead, American Pharoah has brought waves of fan interest and media attention to horse racing.

The 48th edition of the Haskell will be televised on NBC from 2-3 p.m. Pacific and is the 12th of 14 races on the card. And the horse came through with a truly remarkable performance.

“I was in a drive, and he was galloping”, said Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who was on Competitive Edge.

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. Longtime Haskell patrons said they’d never seen such excitement over a single horse. This is a superstar.