Sharp American Pharoah Ready for Return

As trainer Dale Romans walked onto the Monmouth Park track on Saturday, Aug. 1 with his William Hill Haskell Invitational (gr. I) contender Keen Ice, he spotted Triple Crown winner American Pharoah galloping by and commented, "He looks kind of dull today," before letting out a laugh.

Zayat Stables' American Pharoah, of course, actually looked the morning before the Aug. 2 Haskell, which will mark the first time U.S. racing has seen a Triple Crown winner compete since Affirmed wrapped up his career at age 4 with a win in the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park.

Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said American Pharoah is "on the sharper side," as this will be his first race since his smooth-striding 5 1/2-length Belmont Stakes presented by DraftKings (gr. I) triumph June 6 in New York. 

"There's definitely some speed in the race, so it will be interesting to see how it develops," Barnes said. "He's definitely shown he can handle racing off the lead as he sat off horses in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby (presented by Yum! Brands, gr. I)."

Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who will be looking for his fifth Haskell win in six years, was scheduled to arrive Saturday, while jockey Victor Espinoza plans to take the "red-eye" flight from Southern California for an early Sunday arrival.

The Haskell field also includes grade I winner Competitive Edge, a Super Saver   colt who was impressive in winning the longest start of his career to date, the Pat Day Mile Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, and will try two turns for the first time; two-time grade II winner Upstart, who races for the first time since finishing last in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I)—the only time the son of Flatter   failed to place in his eight-race career; and classic-placed Keen Ice, a Curlin   colt who trainer Dale Romans said has improved since his third-place Belmont finish.

"To be first, second, or third in this race you're going to have to be at your best, especially when you're running against a horse like Pharoah," Romans said. "We all realize that if he's in form, we're running for second, but if he stubs his toe, anything can happen."

Sunday's Oceanport, N.J. forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 88 degrees. Monmouth officials are expecting a record crowd of 60,000 or more after thousands turned out in the mornings to watch American Pharoah gallop in the days before the race. The $1.75 million race offers the richest Thoroughbred purse in New Jersey since Monmouth hosted the 2007 Breeders' Cup.

The Zayat family is from New Jersey and will try to capture the Haskell for the second time after winning in 2012 with Paynter  , who is one of seven Haskell winners for Baffert. Zayat Stables' racing manager Justin Zayat can't wait for American Pharoah's return.

"American Pharoah has been our breakout horse, and not only our breakout horse for Zayat Stables but for the racing industry as a whole," Zayat said. "It's not about me, it's not about the Zayat family, it's about American Pharoah and what he's done for everyone. We're excited he's here and we're all excited for Sunday."

NBC plans live coverage of the race with a broadcast that will begin at 5 p.m. The race is a Breeders' Cup Challenge race to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Trainer Todd Pletcher opted to scratch one of his three entries, Nonna's Boy. On Saturday, Monmouth reported Corey Lanerie would ride longshot Dontbetwithbruno.