American Pharoah arrives for his date with destiny

American Pharoah arriving on the grounds at Belmont Park (Harold Roth/Horsephotos.com)

Triple Crown hopeful American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) arrived in New
York safe and sound on Tuesday afternoon, landing at Long Island’s MacArthur
Airport before traveling 40 miles west to take up residence in Barn 1 on the
Belmont Park backstretch at approximately 3:40 p.m. (EDT).

Just a short walk from where he is stabled, the Zayat Stables homebred will
attempt to become racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in
1978, when he contests the 147th running of the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) on
Saturday over the 1 1/2-mile oval.

“He shipped really well,” said American Pharoah’s Hall of Fame trainer, Bob
Baffert. “I think he looked really well for what he’s been through — all of the
shipping. He’s keeping his weight the same; I don’t think he’s lost any weight.
He looks like a horse that’s run in two big races, but I think his energy level
is good. I could tell by walking him around the barn that he still feels pretty
strong. Hopefully he’ll just keep that through the next few days.”

Bob Baffert (white hair & sunglasses) dealing with the media crush surrounding American Pharoah’s arrival (Rickelle Nelson/Horsephotos.com)

“We’re really looking forward to the Belmont,” Baffert said. “The Derby was
really stressful, but once we got through that we really enjoyed Pimlico. As
long as the horse is doing well, our body language is going to be pretty good.
If the race was tomorrow, we’re ready to go.”

Baffert, who has had three Triple Crown bids spoiled in the Belmont (Silver
Charm, Real Quiet and War Emblem), is cautiously optimistic about his colt’s
chances.

“He’s a horse I’ve never had to talk people into how good he is,” he said.
“I’ve been wowed by the way he trains all winter and in the spring, and he
continues to show his stuff. When I lead him over, I sort of feel like I have an
edge, but coming in here and going one-and-a-half miles, it’s a completely
different story. We don’t know how any of them are going to handle it because
none of them have been that far. We just hope and dream from here on out.”