SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has arrived at Saratoga Race Course, walking off a horse van and into his new surroundings for a few days before running in the Travers Stakes.
American Pharoah left California on Wednesday morning, arrived at the airport in Albany, New York, about 2 p.m., and was met at the barn on the Saratoga backstretch by more than 100 fans, reporters and the mayor of Saratoga. A police escort accompanied the van from Albany to the Spa.
A fan left a dozen roses in a vase on a table in the courtyard by American Pharoah’s barn.
The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years is the 1-5 favorite in a 10-horse field for the Travers on Saturday. He is trained by Bob Baffert.
If American Pharoah starts, the Travers purse increases $350,000 to $1.6 million, with the winner earning $850,000.