Haskell Diaries: Pharoah Rises

William Hill Haskell Invitational Day at Monmouth Park is always a fantastic event, but this year’s edition of the War at the Shore was remarkable in every respect. Not only did American Pharoah become the first Triple Crown champion to win the Haskell, but fans were treated to perfect weather, celebrity appearances and some fantastic Thoroughbred action as the backdrop for the 48th running of New Jersey’s most prestigious race. 

I took the train out of Penn Station at about 7 a.m. to ensure that I was at Monmouth Park in plenty of time for the gates to open at 9 a.m.. When I disembarked at the track’s stop on the New Jersey Transit rail system, I was one of hundreds of fans getting off of the train to ensure a seat at Monmouth Park for the afternoon’s action.
 
In fact, as I made my way toward the entrance to the back yard at Monmouth, the line stretched nearly all the way from the train platform to the gates of the track. There must have been well over a thousand people waiting patiently, and it was only about 8:30 in the morning.

Everyone was there with one goal in mind: to secure one of the many coveted picnic tables dotting the back yard along the rail of the homestretch. These spots are first come, first served, so the competition for them on big event days like the Haskell is almost as stiff as the rivalries that take place on the track. As we drew closer to the moment of the gates opening, anticipation built as a Monmouth Park official began counting down the seconds until 9 a.m.

Finally, it was time, and as the official raised her arms, fans broke through the turnstiles to sprint for the picnic tables, unconsciously mimicking the very Thoroughbreds they were there to root for that afternoon.

By mid-morning, the picnic area was filled up with fans ready to take in the races, enjoy some food and make some bets.

As I wandered through the crowd, I spotted a few amazing Pharoah fanatics, who had dressed to impress to support their favorite horse.

I also met this lady later on in the afternoon; she was at Monmouth to raise money for charity, and she had several hilarious signs with her combining pop culture and American Pharoah. 

Some people sported body art hailing the Pharoah, while others had T-shirts showing their AP pride. 

There were also scores of people dressed in more traditional high-end attire; check out some of the resplendent racing fans I spotted at Monmouth Park on Sunday: 

I found a fan who had brought a commemorative Haskell Invitational hat from every year that Monmouth Park has given them away; he even had the original, which dates back to 1988.

That’s such a cool collection, and I love that he had them on display for everyone to admire!
One of my favorite aspects of going to the races is seeing people respond to the equines at the track. This doesn’t just include the Thoroughbreds at the center of the action, but also the pony horses who make sure that the racehorses and jockeys travel safely from the paddock to the starting gate. I spotted this little girl falling in love with this sweet chestnut pony, and she reminded me so much of myself at that age. Getting to pet a horse at the track makes the whole race day experience so much more special for kids, and I know the look of love when I see one.

I think I found a future horsewoman on Sunday at Monmouth Park!
As the Haskell hour drew closer, fans really began to pack the track, taking in the sights and cheering for their chosen horses in the races leading up to the afternoon’s main event.

Above the crowd, the Monmouth Park lawn jockey sported a fresh coat of primer, waiting for the silks of the winning Haskell owner to be painted on directly after the headline race.

At about 5 p.m., it was time for the Haskell horses and their human connections to parade in the Monmouth Park paddock. Fans lined the path and perimeter of the walking ring, vying to get the best spot to see American Pharoah and his competition as they got ready for the summer’s most talked about race.

Celebrities were out in full effect: I spotted Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, who’s a New Jersey legend, admiring the scene:

But I lost the plot when I spotted Bill Murray. I mean, it’s Bill Murray. From “Caddyshack” to “Lost in Translation,” “Ghostbusters” to “St. Vincent,” the man has made generations laugh and cry with his outstanding film career. It was a thrill of my lifetime to see him in person, and he seemed to be enjoying the spectacle as he waited to call “Riders Up!” to the jockeys riding in the Haskell.

He even went over to the fans lining the paddock to say hi and shake some hands, which I’m sure made a lot of people’s day!

My friend Jamie Newell is just as big of a Bill Murray fan as I am, so we had to take a selfie with him in the background. Bonus Donna Barton Brothers sighting!

After a few minutes, while we were still waiting for the horses to arrive, I worked up the courage and asked Bill Murray if I could take a photo with him. He generously acquiesced, and I got a picture with my favorite actor ever.

I actually offered him an American Pharoah temporary tattoo; but he declined, joking that he didn’t want any distinguishing features that would make him stand out from the crowd. You have to love that from a man wearing turquoise sunglasses!
Moments later, the horses arrived at the paddock to parade for fans for a few laps before heading into the saddling area. As American Pharoah neared the crowd, cameras were raised as a roar went up from the fans assembled.

Poor Bill Murray became an afterthought as American Pharoah stole the spotlight as he made his way to the saddling enclosure with his human connections in tow. American Pharoah’s trainer Bob Baffert exchanged a high-five with fellow horseman Dale Romans (who trains Keen Ice) as they headed to see to their respective equine charges.

Then Romans raised his arms in appreciation, both for the crowd’s cheers as well as for a really well executed up-top with Baffert.

Meanwhile, Justin Zayat and Ahmed Zayat, owners of American Pharoah, signed autographs for the fans who flocked to Monmouth to see the Triple Crown superstar in the flesh.

Minutes later, the Haskell Invitational horses and jockeys emerged from the saddling area; while the Thoroughbreds continued to circle the paddock, jockeys, owners and trainers talked last-minute strategy for the upcoming race.

Finally, it was time to unite horse and rider. Bill Murray gave the command of “Riders up!” and seven jockeys were lifted onto the backs of the 2015 Haskell Invitational runners.

As Victor Espinoza settled aboard American Pharoah, fans called their support and encouragement to the famous pair while Victor waved in acknowledgment for the well wishes.

I trailed the horses to the main track as Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” played over the speakers and got into my position on the rail to ensure that I had a clear shot of the action once the race began. I wasn’t the only one staking a claim to my territory: the jockeys who weren’t riding in the Haskell secured high ground so that they could watch history unfold along the Shore’s Greatest Stretch.

A short time later, it was post time for the William Hill Haskell Invitational. I readied my camera as the final horse loaded into the gate and then the Thoroughbreds leapt onto the track and into the first turn as the crowd roared its approval of the start of the race.

As the field thundered past me for the first time and entered the Clubhouse turn, Victor tucked American Pharoah behind early leader Competitive Edge with Mr. Jordan right on his flank.

But as the horses completed their circuit of the track and entered the homestretch on the way to the finish line, American Pharoah was all alone on his way to Haskell Invitational immortality.

As he cruised under the wire, I marveled at just how effortless American Pharoah’s Haskell run seemed; and when I lowered my camera, I became aware of the massive wall of sound behind me as fans collectively screamed themselves hoarse over the performance from our Triple Crown hero.

I immediately turned my camera to the box seat area where I knew Pharoah’s owners were sitting, and I caught Ahmed Zayat and Bob Baffert shaking hands in mutual congratulation.

As American Pharoah made his way back toward the winner’s circle, Victor paraded him all the way down the grandstand and to Monmouth’s back yard so that fans up and downs the track would have a chance to look at the Triple Crown and Haskell hero.

After that, American Pharoah and Victor made their way to the group waiting for them outside of the winner’s circle. Between the Zayat family, the Bafferts, various friends and family member as well as a robust press corps, it was a big group waiting to hail the hero of the day!

When the ceremony was finished, it was time for American Pharoah to head back to his barn. He had to make a pit stop in Monmouth Park’s detention barn so that track and state officials could collect blood, urine and saliva samples to make sure that he won under his own power; this allowed me and the other photographers that had chased him to the stable area just enough time to grab some much-needed water after spending so much of the afternoon under the August sun.
About a half hour later, American Pharoah and Eduardo emerged from the detention barn and headed back toward Kelly Breen’s stable, where the Haskell winner would spend the night at Monmouth Park. Everyone looked happy and healthy as they made their way to their temporary home, and American Pharoah was sporting his brand-new cooler blanket that declared him the Haskell winner.

After taking a lap or two around the barn, American Pharoah reemerged to take a quick shower before settling in for the night. He was lavished by pats and affection from the entire Bob Baffert crew during his shower, and it’s clear that everyone has a soft spot for the horse that’s brought the whole stable so many amazing memories.

At that point, Pharoah went to his stall for some well-deserved dinner and rest, and it was time for me to head back to the Monmouth Park grandstand to gather my things and get ready to head back to New York. As I began the hike, the last race went off; I was trackside for the end of the finale, and I was treated to a spectacular sunset over Monmouth as the fourteenth race concluded to bring Haskell Day 2015 to an end.

As the sun set, I once again noticed the Monmouth Park lawn jockey, was now sporting a fresh coat of paint showing off the Zayat Stables silks that Victor Espinoza wore aboard American Pharoah as they became the 48th Haskell Invitational winners. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable afternoon, and I for one cannot wait to see what this horse does next.