On Sunday August 23rd it was announced that American Pharoah was officially headed to Saratoga for the 146th running of the Travers Stakes. AP had worked 7 furlongs in 1:23.20 at Del Mar earlier that Sunday before the big announcement. Ahmed Zayat, head and owner of Zayat Stables, had mentioned few times he wanted to run the 3 year old colt out of Pioneerof The Nile at Saratoga, but many signs said Trainer Bob Baffert did not want to run him there. Bob Baffert confirmed the colt would run at Saratoga that Sunday.
American Pharoah's last start was in the Grade 1, $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Zayat's home state of New Jersey. The Triple crown winning colt continued to thrill the crowd with another great win. After The Haskell, AP flew back to Del Mar in California and continued to relax and train up there. Because of his Haskell win, American Pharoah won his spot in the 2015 Breeder's Cup Classic in October, which has been the main goal since after the Triple Crown. AP would be the first horse to win the Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup Classic making it a Grand Slam!
American Pharoah's last start was in the Grade 1, $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Zayat's home state of New Jersey. The Triple crown winning colt continued to thrill the crowd with another great win. After The Haskell, AP flew back to Del Mar in California and continued to relax and train up there. Because of his Haskell win, American Pharoah won his spot in the 2015 Breeder's Cup Classic in October, which has been the main goal since after the Triple Crown. AP would be the first horse to win the Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup Classic making it a Grand Slam!
On Wednesday, August 26th, American Pharoah and his trusty lead pony Smokey flew out of Ontario International Airport in California to The Blue Grass Airport in Lexington Kentucky. At about 11:30 am, Air Horse One, a first class equine air service, landed in Lexington. During the layover 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide joined American Pharoah and others on the plane. The Plane took off again this time en route to Albany International Airport in Albany New York. Approximately 2 hours later, Air Horse One touched down on Runway 10 at the Albany Airport. AP was unloaded and taken by Brooke Ledge Horse Vans to Saratoga Racetrack in Saratoga Springs New York. At around 3 pm the van carrying AP arrived at The Terranova Racing Stable, Barn 25, on the Saratoga backside. Photographers, News casters, and Phans a like gathered around to see the 12th Triple Crown winner. |
Assistant Trainer to Bob Baffert, Jimmy Barnes, who traveled with American Pharoah from California to New York, unloaded the colt and walked him around Barn 25 to stretch his legs. Phans and Media gathered around to watch as Pharoahtoga commenced. After a bath and another hand walk to dry off, American Pharoah returned to his stall for the first time.
Pharoahtoga - Day 2 The next morning, American Pharoah gallop on the main Saratoga track with his usual exercise rider, George Alvarez up. This would be AP first trip on the Saratoga track. On Saturday, Pharoah would face a field of nine, ten including him, in the Grade One Travers Stakes. He is post position number two. If number one, Upstart, does not run them AP will have to break from the rail like he did in the Preakness Stakes back in May. The Triple Crown Champ will face tough competition this Saturday including Breeder's Cup Juvenile Winner Texas Red and Wood Memorial and Belmont Runner up Frosted. After coming off the track, AP returned to Barn 25 for a bath and a hand walk to dry off. At 11 am American Pharoah and some of his team headed to the Saratoga Paddock. Phans lined the paddock rails as The Champ schooled in preparation for Saturday. Also in the paddock at that time was Breeder's Cup Juvenile Champ, Texas Red who appeared to be checking out his competition. |
American Pharoah was said to jog on the track again this morning, Thursday, and gallop again on Friday. AP's work on Friday will be open to the public along with plenty of other Travers contenders. Post Time for the Travers is at 5:46 pm and you can watch live on NBC from 4 to 6 pm. AP is installed at the favorite at odds of 1/5.