Belmont Diaries: The Pharoah Has Landed

It may have been a cold and rainy day at Belmont Park today, but Big Sandy (as the track is colloquially know) put out a warm welcome for American Pharoah when the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner arrived.
I got to the track at about midday, and made my way up to the press box to gather my credentials and prepare for the arrival of America’s most famous 3-year-old. It was nasty out, with a steady rain piecing the unseasonable cold air; the good news is that American Pharoah has no problem with a wet racetrack if this weather should hold through Saturday!

After I grabbed a quick lunch at the track kitchen with friends (I was uncharacteristically restrained, limiting myself to a salad since I’m eating at the best restaurant in the world tonight: King Umberto) it was time to head to the barn to wait for American Pharoah to arrive. 
The media was out in full force – I actually think there was more press this year than there was last year for California Chrome’s arrival despite the yucky weather. 

I was chatting with a friend when American Pharoah’s trainer Bob Baffert emerged from the barn; he took a photo of all of the press gathered around and then headed over to say hi to track announcer Larry Collmus and Churchill Downs Director of Media Darren Rogers. 

I looked down to tweet a photo of them talking, and moments later when I glanced back up, this is what met my eyes:

Holy press scrum, Batman! I found a ladder and took an aerial photo just to give you an idea as to how intense that was. I can barely even see Bob Baffert in there!

By the way, this was me perched up on the ladder. It was taken moments before a security guard, who clearly thought I was crazy to climb an unsecured soaking wet rickety ladder, asked me to climb down: 

Yep, that's @PenelopePMiller up on a ladder to get "the shot" of the media around Baffert. Who's better than her?! :) pic.twitter.com/KimYyntd4r
— Danonymous Racing (@DanonymousMan) June 2, 2015

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Baffert obligingly answered the questions presented to him, and as the crowd of reporters began to disperse Bob re-emerged into sight as he waited for his star trainee to arrive.

Lo and behold, moments later the horse van containing American Pharoah swept around the turn and into view.

One thing I loved (and I’m not even sure if anyone else noticed it, to be honest) was that American Pharoah’s groom had brought a miniature American flag in the van with him, which he waved out the window as the trailer parked in front of the Belmont barns.

Now, I apologize for the quality of the next shots: I was simultaneously taking photos, operating my phone and narrating Periscope, so the quality here is a little lacking. I can multi-task like no one’s business, but sometimes a girl just has an off day!
Anyway, moments later American Pharoah walked sedately off of the van:

He was completely unfazed by the phalanx of media awaiting him, and he calmly stepped into his temporary home and began circling the shedrow to stretch his legs a bit after his flight.

A few other horses (among them 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern) got off of the truck; and then faithful Smokey, Bob Baffert’s pony horse, ran tail to complete American Pharoah’s Belmont arrival. 

I have to say, for an event that lasted only a few minutes it was oddly thrilling. To have American Pharoah arrive makes this Triple Crown run feel even more real and possible. Suddenly, I have that magical feeling of excitement and possibility. In fact, it may be time for me to find my fuzzy slippers and brew up some tea, because I have totally come down with a case of Triple Crown fever. Be careful – it’s contagious and the only cure can be found when the Test of the Champion runs here at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Thank you for joining me, and I’ll be back tomorrow with all of the action from the post position draw!