Haskell Diaries: Welcoming a Pharoah

When American Pharoah was confirmed to run in Sunday’s $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes on Aug. 2 at Monmouth, Park, I knew I wanted to be there for every moment of the 12th Triple Crown winner’s trip to the “Shore’s Greatest Stretch”. So when I got the press release stating that today would be the day of his arrival, I booked myself a ticket a southbound train to Little Silver, N.J. in order to welcome the thrice-crowned “King of Horse Racing”.
I arrived at Monmouth Park at midday, and the track was already gearing up for Sunday’s big event. The traditional sand castle welcoming fans to the oval had been updated to show its Haskell pride and banners detailing the weekend’s action adorned the entrance.

Not only that, but when I walked into the main building, employees were unpacking some American Pharoah gear to get people ready to show their support on Sunday. I immediately headed straight for the giant foam fingers and fell in love.

Fortunately, the nice woman overseeing operations was ready and willing to make a sale, so I purchased one each for my colleague Dan Tordjman and myself.

So @danonymousracing and I discovered that they're already selling #AmericanPharoah foam fingers at @monmouthparkracetrack. Obviously we invested. #americasbestracing #americasbestfashion
A photo posted by Penelope P. Miller (@penelopepmiller) on Jul 29, 2015 at 10:42am PDT

I have a feeling that I’m just going to go ahead and wear that thing around all week: business meetings, restaurants, my commute on the 6 train; everywhere. I love it that much.
After depositing my overnight bag and computer in the press box, it was time to head over to trainer Kelly Breen’s barn in the Monmouth Park stable area to await the arrival of American Pharoah. The Triple Crown winner would be staying with Breen’s horses since his own trainer, Bob Baffert, doesn’t keep an operation at Monmouth; and Breen had a freshly bedded stall prepared to receive the nation’s most famous racehorse.

Monmouth Park had rolled out the red carpet, too: there were signs adorning the tack room outside of the barn welcoming the Triple Crown hero to the “Shore’s Greatest Stretch”:

A robust crowd of reporters, photographers and videographers were clustered around the lone tree providing us shade in the strong July sun, and when word was handed down that the Pharoah was running about a half-hour late, Monmouth Park was kind enough to bring out ice-cold waters for the assembled media. It was a little gesture, but one that speaks to this track’s commitment for all attendees’ comfort and enjoyment.

Suddenly, everyone assembled around the barn got very quiet, and we could hear sirens in the distance approaching the racetrack. It was the police motorcade escorting American Pharoah to Monmouth Park, and moments later a cruiser led the Brookledge van into the stable yard.

When the horse van pulled into plain sight, I may have squealed a little, because it looked amazing. The paint job was in the colors of owner Zayat Stables’ silks, and the festive font adorning the sides of the van advertised Sunday’s big race loud and proud. It was a chariot befitting the Pharoah, and cameras raised in unison as the rig pulled to a stop in front of the barn.

In addition to the media, racetrackers and fans were crowded nearby with their own cameras and phones at the ready to record American Pharoah’s arrival at Monmouth.

Representatives from the van company quickly assembled the ramp that would allow American Pharoah to descend from the van’s elevated heights, and then the champ finally emerged.

AMERICAN PHAROAH ARRIVES AT MONMOUTH

He circled around us a few times, giving all assembled a chance to get a photo and see the Triple Crown winner up close. Fans called out to him, extending words of welcome to both the horse and his team of Eduardo, Jimmy and Georgie. Some even reached out, hoping for a chance to touch greatness in the flesh.

Throughout it all, American Pharoah was his calm, friendly self, stopping occasionally to strike a pose or extend his nose curiously toward a camera (mine included!).

Throughout the unloading process, the state troopers leaned against the Brookledge van, basking in the rig’s shade and watching the media scrum strain to get a good shot at U.S. racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner.

After that, American Pharoah entered the shade of the barn to stretch his legs after his long journey to California. True to form (he’s a known ham who seems to love the sound of camera shutters clicking), he would pause every time he passed the gap in the railing to pose for his adoring fans.

After a few laps around the shedrow (the little horse path that surrounds the stalls in racing barns), American Pharoah emerged back out onto the blacktop to have a quick bath before settling in for the night at his temporary home at Monmouth Park.

After that, American Pharoah enjoyed what was probably the most photographed equine bath of all time. He seemed to enjoy all of it: the attention as well as the refreshing rinse; in fact, he would turn his head every once in a while to stare at the crowd as if to say, “You guys getting this?”

When the last bit of soap had been coaxed out of his coat, American Pharoah followed Eduardo into the barn, drawing a close to the afternoon’s arrival festivities.

It was a great way to kick off Haskell week, and I’ll be back with all the action from his first gallop over the Monmouth Park track as well as the Haskell draw tomorrow.