Image by Getty Images

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah made a triumphant return to the track by winning the $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey on Sunday.

Overwhelming favorite American Pharoah took the lead from Competitive Edge on the far turn, and opened up a five-length lead before cruising to a 2 1/4 length victory over Keen Ice to roars from a record crowd of 60,000.

“He just keeps bringing it,” American Pharoah trainer Bob Baffert said about the 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 37 years. “He’s just a great horse.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Victor Espinoza, who rode the bay colt to victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, said American Pharoah responded when asked to make his move.

“He ran like the Triple Crown winner,” Espinoza said.

American Pharoah, who went off at odds of 1-10, ran the 1 1/8 mile race in 1:47.4, one second off the track record despite not going full out in the stretch after his 57-day break since the Belmont.

Where American Pharoah races next is uncertain with the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 29, the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19 and the Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Sept. 26 among the possibilities.

He is expected to make his farewell racing performance in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, on Oct. 31 before retiring to stud.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount