Triple Crown Diaries: Return of a King

If you would have told me six weeks ago when I first started writing my blog about my Kentucky Derby experience that I’d be driving to Churchill Downs on June 7 to welcome the Triple Crown winner back to the track, I would have laughed at you.
While I’d joked to my boss back in February that we’d have a Triple Crown winner after he informed me that he was going on vacation the day after the Belmont for a week, I didn’t actually believe it then. I also squelched the thought I had that American Pharoah would be the Triple Crown winner the night of the Kentucky Derby because I’m a hardcore believer in getting through the Preakness with a win before even entertaining those thoughts.
But after seeing American Pharoah last weekend, watching his final work and how he cooled out of it, I allowed myself to start to believe that he could do it.

Five days later, I was informed soon after the colt became the 12th Triple Crown winner that he would be returning to Churchill Downs on Sunday so I immediately started digging for details. Once I learned what time he was landing, I planned out my trip.
I’ve been waiting for a Triple Crown winner for a long time so the opportunity to see one had me leaving my house earlier than I had planned. I arrived at Churchill Downs at 12:30, an hour before the van carrying American Pharoah was supposed to show up and figured I’d be one of the first to make an appearance at Bob Baffert’s barn. When I was a barn away from American Pharoah’s home at Churchill, I found out I was very wrong. There was already a sizeable crowd of fans with some even carrying signs.

The signs the fans were holding weren’t the only ones I saw. Churchill Downs and Baffert’s barn staff wasted no time putting their newest accomplishment up on what I have dubbed Baffert’s “Churchill Wall of Fame.”

Let’s take a moment to let that sign sink in. It’s been 37 years since a sign like that was created and saw the light of day.
Finished enjoying the sign? Okay, good. Let’s move on to seeing the star of the show.
I was at my normal spot next to the bathing area so I couldn’t see the van coming but the camera guys set up in the road gave me a good indication of when I needed to be prepared. And just in case they didn’t give me enough warning, we had a news helicopter above us that was following the van from the airport a few miles away to the backside of the track. As it got closer, we knew the van was coming as well.

   
Finally, the big white tractor of the van carrying everyone pulled into view. Soon after, the open doors of the horse area also revealed that we were being filmed by one of the guys leaning outside. We also spotted a group of humans and horses who looked pretty happy to be home.

The process to get the van set up for unloading took nearly no time at all with multiple people stepping in to get the ramp set up while the horses inside were prepared for the crowd that awaited them.

Finally, the horse we had all been waiting for was unloaded to the sound of cheers and a happy groom.

And that is where this diary ends.
Just kidding!
Soon after Smokey the Wonder Pony (who, let’s be honest, has stolen the spotlight from the Thoroughbreds this Triple Crown season) unloaded, it was time for American Pharoah to greet the public.

Showing the willingness his connections have had when it comes to letting those around the horse get up close and personal to him, assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes took him up close to each group so they could get pictures instead of rushing him into the barn.

American Pharoah got a little worked up when people cheered for him as he headed into the barn but it didn’t last long. By the time he came back around after walking the shed row for the first time, he was back to his normal self. A few minutes later when he came back out for his bath he was the chill American Pharoah everyone has seen during the Triple Crown, hamming it up for the cameras and everyone else watching.

While a lot of the fans left after the bath, some stuck around and watched American Pharoah hot walk to dry off. Everyone who stuck around was in for a treat as some fans got to pet the champion and others got some great pictures of him stopping to check them out.

As American Pharoah was walking, a Tex Sutton truck pulled up with all of the things the Baffert crew had taken to New York with them and a few things they were returning with. While I didn’t see any trophies, the blanket American Pharoah had won was shortly set out in front of the barn. One of the grooms was obviously very proud of American Pharoah’s accomplishments and I grabbed a few shots of him getting his picture taken with it.

I had two more tasks to accomplish before I could leave. Smokey hadn’t reappeared from the barn since unloading from the van so I had to say “hi” to him before I could head back to Lexington. He’s had a long few weeks but was willing to give a small group of us a few minutes of his time before going back to his nap.

The crowd was nearly gone at this point and American Pharoah was settled in his stall but didn’t seem to want the attention to end. So on the way back to my car, I stopped by and grabbed one more shot of the 2015 Triple Crown winner (I can’t give over being able to say that).

American Pharoah is scheduled to get a few days off to hang around the barn before heading back out to the track if he is ready. The Zayats are letting American Pharoah parade at Churchill Downs Saturday, June 13 during the Kentucky Derby trophy presentation so everyone can see him. If you’re in the Louisville area, feel free to come out to the track for an awesome night of racing and a view of American Pharoah. If you aren’t, don’t worry, I’ll be at the track and have a photo blog for you so you can relive all the excitement of that night.
I look forward to sharing that adventure with all of you!