SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- With a dozen roses and about 300 people waiting to greet him, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah arrived at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday and was led off a horse van next to his barn after a flight from California.
American Pharoah seemed to be adjusting well to his new home leading up to Saturday's Travers Stakes. He was walked around the barn area by Jimmy Barnes, trainer Bob Baffert's assistant, and then given a sponge bath.
The colt left Del Mar on Wednesday morning, arrived at the airport in Albany, New York, about 2 p.m., and was given a police escort up Interstate 87. The Pharoah entourage pulled into the backstretch just before 3 p.m., where hundreds of fans, media members and the mayor of Saratoga had gathered.
One fan left a dozen roses in a vase on a table in the courtyard by American Pharoah's barn. The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years was led into his stall following his bath. The horse is staying in the barn of trainer John Terranova.
American Pharoah, who drew the No. 2 post, is the 1-5 favourite in a 10-horse field entered on Tuesday. If he starts, the Travers purse increases by $350,000 to $1.6 million, with the winner earning $850,000.
American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat, is trying to become the second Triple Crown winner to go on and win the Travers. Whirlaway did it in 1941.
