Record crowd expected to greet American Pharoah for Haskell

By TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Since breaking the 37-year-old Triple Crown curse with his wire-to-wire win at the Belmont Stakes June 13, American Pharoah has become an American folk hero.

The 3-year-old thoroughbred has become a nationwide star, and that has brought increased attention to the sport.

As a result, all eyes will be on Monmouth Park Aug. 2 when American Pharoah returns to the racetrack for his first challenge since the Belmont Stakes to run in the $1 million William Hill Haskell Invitational.

The Oceanport racetrack, which is celebrating its 70th year of racing, is expecting the biggest day in its history. American Pharoah will be the first Triple Crown winner to ever race at Monmouth Park.

“We are preparing for 60,000 [fans],” said John Heims, director of media relations at Monmouth Park.

The single-day attendance record at Monmouth is 53,638 in 2003 to see Funny Cide, who had won the first two legs of the Triple Crown that year: the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. It would be an understatement to say that Monmouth Park is delighted to have the sport’s 12th Triple Crown winner. “Everyone here is beyond excited that [owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Bob Baffert] have chosen Monmouth Park for the next start for American Pharoah,” Heims said. “The anticipation is building, and there is a tremendous buzz surrounding the entire event.”

American Pharoah was expected to arrive at Monmouth Park July 29 and will be stabled in trainer Kelly Breen’s barn.

Monmouth Park has set aside a time slot for the Haskell participants July 30 and 31 and Aug. 1. It’s anticipated that American Pharoah will run between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m. on the main track — the time slotted for the Haskell horses.

On July 31 and Aug. 1, the Clubhouse will be open to the public for free from 7-8 a.m. to watch the Haskell horse.

It looks like it will be a six-horse field for the $1 million William Hill Haskell. Mr. Jordan, Competitive Edge, Keen Ice, War Story and Tekton are expected to challenge American Pharoah.

The Haskell will be telecast live on NBC from 5-6 p.m. Gates will open at 9 a.m. on race day with first post set for 11:30 a.m. Post time for the Haskell is 5:52.

Baffert is quite comfortable at Monmouth Park, having won the Haskell a record seven times, including last year with Bayern.

In anticipation of its biggest day, Monmouth Park is turning the Haskell into a three-day celebration with what it is calling The Pharoah Phan Phestival.

Included in the Phestival will be a giveaway Aug. 1 with a baseball jersey commemorating Baffert’s seven Haskell victories that will be available as long as supplies last. Baffert will also be inducted into Monmouth’s Hall of Fame during the weekend.

On July 31, an American Pharoah button and magazine giveaway courtesy of the Daily Racing form is on tap. American Pharoah is also scheduled to school in the paddock with the horses from that day’s races.

When racing is completed Aug. 31, the track is hosting its Third Annual Joes vs. Jocks Mini Golf Phestival at the Bluegrass Miniature Golf course on the racetrack grounds.

Fans can join their favorite jockeys for a round of miniature golf and help raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund.