SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — No worries, so far. American Pharoah seems to love Saratoga Race Course.
After the Triple Crown winner’s first gallop around the historic track Thursday, the striking bay colt was declared “super good and very happy,” by assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes.
“He went over the track very well,” said Barnes, trainer Bob Baffert’s right-hand man who travels with American Pharoah. “He settles in very easily.”
American Pharoah, with exercise rider Jorge Alvarez aboard, glided around the track without issue as he prepares for Saturday’s Travers Stakes. The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years is the 1-5 favorite in a field of 10 3-year-olds going 1 ¼ miles.
“He went great,” a smiling Alvarez said. “We’re very happy with what we saw.”
With Baffert set to arrive from California later Thursday, Barnes got in touch with the trainer after American Pharoah returned to his barn on the backstretch.
“Bob’s still on California time, but I texted him immediately,” Barnes said. “I try not to call him because if he gets a call he tends to think something’s wrong.”
American Pharoah walked onto the track about 6:40 a.m., with dozens of photographers, TV cameras and fans on hand to check out the champ.
A few hours later, about 11:15 a.m., American Pharoah was led into the paddock to get used to where he will be saddled on race day. When word spread, fans began lining the fence around the paddock and path through the crowd that horses enter and leave.
The colt actually stopped several times, posing for pictures.
“Nothing bothers him,” said one fan as American Pharoah walked along the horse path.
“He’s so beautiful,” said another.
“I can’t believe I got to see American Pharoah,'” added another.
It’s been quite a week for racing’s biggest draw. He had his final workout Sunday at Del Mar in California, jogged Tuesday and was flown cross-country Wednesday before boarding a horse van and receiving a police escort from the Albany, New York, airport to Saratoga.
American Pharoah is scheduled to gallop Friday morning.
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