From a beauty salon in Beverly Hills to an intersection in Zurich people are talking about American Pharoah.
Derek Jeter. Carrie Underwood. Drew Brees. Even Cheech and Chong. All have chatted up either the owner, trainer or jockey of American Pharoah in the weeks after the horse became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years with a sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
“He’s captured the imagination of the nation,” says Ahmed Zayat, the effusive Egyptian owner who travels the world on business and resides in Teaneck, New Jersey. “More than just a nation, if I dare say.”
On Sunday, American Pharoah returns to the races in the $1.75 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, the Jersey Shore track a few furlongs from the home of rocker Bruce Springsteen, whose classic “Born to Run” has become the Haskell pre-race anthem.
On this day, though, Pharoah will be The Boss.