December 23, 2024

American Pharoah receives visit, jersey from Los Angeles Angels

Last updated: 6/26/15 8:04 PM


American Pharoah receives visit, jersey from Los Angeles
Angels










American Pharoah shows off his new Los Angeles Angels jersey
(Photo courtesy of Santa Anita Park via Twitter)




A front office entourage from the Los Angeles Angels that
included Angels Vice President of Communications Tim Mead, right-handed
pitcher Cam Bedrosian, third baseman Kyle Kubitza and bullpen coach Steve Soliz,
visited champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) at his Santa Anita Park barn Friday morning.

The sophomore colt was presented with his own jersey by the group.

“It’s pretty cool to get to meet American Pharoah,”
Bedrosian said. “How many times do you get the chance to meet the Triple Crown
winner?

“Getting the invitation to come here is pretty incredible. I watched all
three races in the Triple Crown. I grew up on a horse farm, so I’ve been around
them my whole life you could say, so I like watching racing.

“American Pharoah seems huge! He’s a lot bigger than the horses I grew up
with. That’s a beautiful horse and they take really good care of him; that you
can see.”

The classic winner is still drawing plenty of attention.



Three weeks after he became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years by
romping in the June 6 Belmont S. (G1), American Pharoah’s pictures appeared in
the June 29 editions of Sports Illustrated. On Saturday, he’ll make an eagerly
anticipated public appearance at Santa Anita, his home track, after the 7TH race.

The fame is spilling over to the colt’s connections, as well.

Bob Baffert, the most recognizable trainer on the planet
with his signature snow white hair, was getting rock star treatment in
restaurants and fast food joints.

“There are a lot of fans coming tomorrow,” Baffert said
after watching his bay charge gallop at Santa Anita Friday morning. “I went to pick up
some dinner last night at an Italian restaurant and there was this older couple
there and they were all excited and said they can’t wait to come out tomorrow to
see him, so it’s pretty neat.

“There were a lot more people watching the Triple Crown
than I thought, but you don’t hear about it. I get recognized everywhere I go
now, even Chipotle’s.

“But I haven’t tried Burger King yet.”

Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor
Espinoza participated in a golf tournament at Dana Point Friday morning
sponsored by New Era Hats and benefiting the rider’s primary charity, City of Hope.

Several retired Los Angeles Dodgers players also participated, according to
Espinoza’s agent, Brian Beach. Espinoza was scheduled to throw out the
ceremonial first pitch at Friday night’s Padres-Diamondbacks game at Petco Park in San Diego, marking
the fifth time this year he’s made a Major League mound appearance.

Previous pitches were done for the Angels, Dodgers, Mets and Yankees.



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