American Pharoah... what's next for our new Champion? (The Haskell)
 

I'd say he deserves a nice long romp in the clover so he can act like a normal horse for awhile. Of course all the checking out and examination routine and then the connections can tike some to time to plan what's best of him. They now we all want to see him run again but right now it would only be a guess . . . but let's start guessing as to what's next for our Champion.

[quote=DonGuido;1030435]I'd say he deserves a nice long romp in the clover so he can act like a normal horse for awhile. Of course all the checking out and examination routine and then the connections can tike some to time to plan what's best of him. They now we all want to see him run again but right now it would only be a guess . . . but let's start guessing as to what's next for our Champion.[/QUOTI

I will say 1 or 2 races more before the BC classic, then off to the shed....I hope so..

Point to Travers with one about a month before. Then face older horses once, maybe twice before BC.

If they do decide to run then obviously the goal is the BCC.

And last night I was thinking how unfortunate it's at Keeneland instead of Churchill.

If he goes to Saratoga, which isn't Baffert's favorite place, my wife and I will just have to make that trip since we didn't get to the Belmont.

If it were to happen, a Traverse win and a BC Classic win . . . where would he fit among the greatest ever? Horse of the Decade? Who knows.

If he is entered, the crowds will be massive. Bleacher-city for sure.

Retirement

Hopefully after the Classic. I can understand why this may happen but there are already hints he will keep in training and run this year.

pb72 vett winnerhHe
 

That's his last race.

Yeah, hopefully. Even better would be to follow in the shoes of slew and affirmed, who both had fantastic campaigns as four year olds... One can dream.
And then reality sets in. Would like to see him run, but I think fear will override their desire.

As of this morning, they're planning on aiming for the Classic as his final start:

"No decision has been made on where American Pharoah will make his next start, but his connections said the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Keeneland would be the final start of his career with three potential races between the Triple Crown and then. "

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...h-star-of-show

Also from the article:

""You guys want to come over and, like, pet him?" Baffert asked, and the throng surrounded American Pharoah to pet his shoulder and forehead, a few even going so far as to kiss him on the muzzle."

Oh my God.

If they want to assure themselves the HOY title, they will bring him back and instruct the jockey to lose his next three races. Last year showed us that's the new way.

What? They're going to race him some more? Oh my God! He's done enough!:eek::zz::D

That is absolutely fantastic news. Hope the Travers is one of those 3 races.

pb72 vett winner
 

Don't hold your breath on that.

The fact that he's so good natured and loves people so much makes him even more special. As we all know many horses would rather take a chunk of your flesh if you get too close.

Thanks to Bob for sharing and someday my wife and I will hopefully get to snuggle him a bit and rub and kiss his nose. We've been lucky to have had that experience with many great ones already and we need to add this to our list.

No, he hasn't. God, I hate that damn phrase.

^this

Monarchos was like the family dog when we stood there petting him. He loved it

Jay Privman makes as good a case as any for the Pacific Classic at Del Mar to be his next race...sorry Saratoga

Definitely hoping that he somehow makes it to the Classic in good order. Heck I would even consider a trip to Keeneland if he did.

Sure but I don't like it for him as much as the Travers. The Travers is much more prestigious but Baffert is a west coast kinda guy. Maybe Mr. Zayat will talk the sense into him and bring him to upstate NY, the place he really needs to be and win.

Would like to see him take on elders in Woodward or JCGC. I don't think that will happen. Baffert has a fondness for the Haskell. Who would be out west for the Pacific Classic?

Baffert has had a distaste for toga lately, hasnt he? And he could face elders if he goes in the pac classic.
big ifs. Well, huge ifs. I can think of tens of millions of reasons why he wont run again...

"I personally made a promise to my family and to the fans more than anybody else," Zayat said. "We need to enjoy our stars and race them as long as we possibly (can)."

Let's hope he comes through for us. :D Excerpt from a "Bloodhorse" story.

If he stays fit and trains up to any race as he has done . . . the "elders" will fear him. Bring'em on I say!!!

I would like to see them campaign him the rest of the year in a way befitting a superstar. What id really like to see is bim run next year. It was good enough for 3 of the previous four winners, along with some who came close, like the bid.
But, that wont happen.
Hell, maybe he'll turn out sterile and they can keep running him.

I don't think we've seen his best race yet. He's run and won on 6 different tracks across the country against the best 3YO's they could throw at him and except for the Derby, where he did have to dig in to win in style and save his first start, he has handled the rest with ease.

I'm looking at a picture of him in SI getting a bath before the Belmont and his muscles ripple from his neck & withers to his hip and thigh. He even has a equine 6 or 8 pack on the side of his stomach. Can't see the underside. We know his stride is longer than Secretariat's was and he stays in the air like freaking Pegasus. The Michael Jordan of horse racing.

He is a thoroughbred treasure for us all to enjoy and behold and I have to believe he'll impress us even more down the road.

I'm anxious to see his full little brother, Irish Pharaoh run in a couple of years. Certainly has some big horse shoes to fill. :tro:

Going back a reading some posts prior to the Belmont really make me smile and I'm not pointing any fingers but this is one of many examples that was squashed yesterday in every way:
_______________________________
"Look at the Bids pp's . If he couldn't , how can this hoss?
No way he wins 4 grade I races in 8weeks. The bottom that is so necesssy to win the first 2 jewels is a hinderance in the Belmont . Fresher legs rule the day. He will be dogged like he hasn't been thus far and in the end will succumb to the pressure and the distance will get to him at the 3/16 pole . He will then falter and be off the board. One of those cases where I'll get huge against a hoss that I'll be rooting for. If he wins , he is quite deserving. But it's not gonna happen."
________________________________
Hey, no biggie, if we're right in this sport 25% of the time we could all retire with millions under our mattresses. :rolleyes::DAnd sometimes things are so obvious and right in front of our face but we just can't see it.

No doubt that this is your finest work to date

For sure.

Dortmund & Firing Line? Yawn. I'd hope that's not the case. The horse deserves to go to the Travers, then a prep for the BC, BC. Then, baby makin' time.

I want to him race the rest of this year but would be shocked for him to ever even work again. The insurance premiums will be massive considering they will be insuring against in the shred. guessing 200k to start with 125 book max

They have to say what they are saying now but doubt Coolmore cuts that insurance check with nothing to gain, and everything to lose

My guess is a slight hip fracture, like an illum, will be the excuse.

Article about his arrival back at Churchill includes video. Pharoah kindly stopped and posed whenever he saw a camera. Hilarious.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...hurchill-downs

Sadly I think this is the correct scenario...other than the injury perhaps. I think once the dust settles and the media goes away, they just turn him out for rest...and then he never comes back. We found a little heat, a swelling, a chip..something minor. Can't risk him not coming back 100%, yada yada

I am skeptical as you are, but I also think Zayat is a racing fan. It will be interesting to see if he actually does keep this horse racing.

http://nypost.com/2015/06/07/the-hor...latest-legend/

Zayat
 

He promised. I assume his word is good. That means he's gonna run. Only a real icehole would retire him now. The hoss has earned the trip to the Spa. A Travers day for the ages.

I'll take a Breeders Cup Classic entry and a win. But he'll have to race at least once or twice before that. I'm convinced that Zayat is true to his word and wouldn't lead the racing public and real fans on. He has this worked out with Coolmore, don't kid yourself. Zayat still owns controlling interest in him, so go figure. If I'm Mr. Zayat, wish I was tight now, I'd be very selective but run him for sure, if for nobody else but for me and my family.

Lastly, probably not though about all this, is that I don't think any of us understand how significant this horse is, how special he is and how important what he did this weekend will prove to be. We'll find out as the next few months and few years go by.

Is there any horse right now that's more worthy of all this hype? None, thank you very much. I can't wait to get in the office tomorrow and high five all those interested parties up and down the hallway and in and out offices. It will wear off soon, maybe.

If so, my wife and I will be there. Not only for Pharoah but it is our favorite part of Heaven on Earth.

We grew up in upstate and spent many a summer in the Adirondacks and have been to the Spa many, many times. Even from Dallas, long trip, since we've lived in this area for over 30 years it's worth it.