The most famous horse in America, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, arrived at Monmouth Park racetrack on Wednesday and immediately was treated to a cool bath. Observing were a handful of fans and journalists from as far away as Australia.
Excitement is in the air. Today, Monmouth Park announced it has upped the purse on the million dollar William Hill Haskell by $750,000, making the Haskell the largest invitational in the country, at $1.75 million and the largest purse in New Jersey history.
American Pharoah is being lodged at Kelly John Breen’s barn, where owner Bob Baffert traditionally keeps his horses.
When the horse and its entourage arrived at the Atlantic City Airport a few hours earlier, he was greeted by a handful of enthusiastic fans holding up signs.
The 3-year-old colt’s arrival at Monmouth Park was met with excitement and anticipation by fans as well as track workers.
“It’s exciting. He’s a beautiful horse,” said Liz Donahue, a nurse working for a clinic available for track employees. “He’s nice he’s from New Jersey,” she said. “He’s coming home.
The horse’s owner, Ahmed Zayat, owns and operates Zayat Stables, in Teaneck.
With the increased purse, “This lets the state know and the racing industry know Monmouth Park is a place to showplace champions,” said Dennis Drazin, a Red Bank lawyer and advisor for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, which operates Monmouth Park, Oceanport Avenue.
Racetrack representatives expect crowds topping 60,000 to attend the Haskell invitational on Sunday.
