Records Fall on Haskell Day at Monmouth Park
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American Pharoah's dominating victory in the William Hill Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) paced Monmouth Park in New Jersey to a record-breaking day.
The biggest crowd in Monmouth history, an announced 60,983, and a world-wide television audience installed American Pharoah as the 1-10 favorite to follow up his Triple Crown sweep with another superior performance. And the Zayat Stables-owned colt delivered, paying a record low price of $2.20, $2.10 and $2.10 across the board.
The excitement also produced record pari-mutuel handle for the race and for Haskell day. A total of $6,544,247 was bet on the Haskell, shattering the mark of $4,463,736 from the 2010 edition. Total handle for the day was $20,024,509, up 13.49% from the previous mark of $17,642,955 set in 2008.
American Pharoah's trainer, Bob Baffert, and owner Ahmed Zayat both took time in the post-race press conference to compliment Monmouth and the New Jersey horseracing fans.
"What an amazing day," said Dennis Drazin, adviser to Darby Development, which operates Monmouth for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. "We were prepared and it showed. I want to express my gratitude to the entire Zayat family and to trainer Bob Baffert for giving New Jersey the biggest day in horse racing the Garden State has ever seen.
"I also want to thank the entire Monmouth Park team, who have worked tirelessly to make today the great success that it was. And, of course, I want to thank the fans, who truly made this an event that won't soon be forgotten."