Skip to main content
Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Kentucky begins party planning for new racing king

American Pharoah (5) with jockey Victor Espinoza up breaks out of the starting gate at the start of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah won the race to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
American Pharoah (5) with jockey Victor Espinoza up breaks out of the starting gate at the start of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah won the race to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) American Pharoah (5) with jockey Victor Espinoza up breaks out of the starting gate at the start of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah won the race to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

By Associated Press 3 min read

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Police escorts guided American Pharoah and his entourage back home to Churchill Downs Sunday, hours after his stunningly smooth run into Triple Crown history.

Now, his victory lap begins.

At the headquarters of American horse racing, Churchill Downs’ famous twin spires are displaying Zayat Stables’ turquoise and gold colors all week to celebrate the first Triple Crown in 37 years. The Kentucky Derby museum quickly updated a display to reflect the historic achievement, and American Pharoah’s name was added in gold letters in the paddock with 11 previous champions.

Next Saturday, American Pharoah will take his public parade lap at the track before the Stephen Foster Handicap.

The horse left Belmont and flew back home to a crowd that cheered as he walked toward trainer Bob Baffert’s Barn 33. He seemed to drink the attention in as he strolled out of the van and walked around the barn before media and an adoring gathering of camera-clicking fans. His return was shown over the jumbo screen overlooking the storied track.