Monmouth sold out
 

``It's never even been close to a thought, this happening in the past,'' said Bob Kulina, president of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park. ``Our restaurant is sold out, too. We're going to be taking a few more rooms and will have some other offerings in the next few weeks.''

With American Pharoah expected to go postward in the Haskell, estimates are that some 60,000 fans could pour into the 70-year-old facility, shattering the current attendance record of 53,638, set on Haskell Day in 2003.


http://www.app.com/story/sports/2015...-out/71238806/

I strolled up to the ticket window as I do every year around this time and was shocked to hear I'd be sitting in the 3rd level. I usually get 2nd level aisle seats. Guess I was late to the party.

I've been going to MP for 35 years and I can count on one hand the number of times I've been up there. I do hope they conduct a thorough clean-up of that otherwise sparsely used area. My buddy found a mummified pigeon up there once.

good for monmouth!

I wonder who will challenge him there if he goes. Most likely a small field. I would think Carpe Diem maybe would go but not sure else.

Has it been confirmed that he is indeed going to the Haskel?

Seriously ??? Everyone is just guessing :zz:

when the Zayats were interviewed on Saturday at CD the whole family expressed a desire to go to MTH for the Haskell. It's their "home track".

no horse is confirmed yet. but that's their plan.

After listening to Mr Zayat and all his comments
I was believing they would race him again. After watching
NBC's Kenny Rice interviewing the family and listening to
Mr Zayat I think American Pharoah will get some type of
injury and never race again. Hope I'm wrong though

Save a real injury no chance

:zz:

His word is good. Haskell it is. I think he gets it. For the good of the country,hossracing, and duty and humanity

Don't forget that Zayat is not averse to making deals nor is Baffert shy about accepting appearance fees. Monmouth obviously is the target, but perhaps the lure of a more lucrative package, weaker competition, and more time off from the Belmont Stakes will win out. Canterbury is making a play, and it wouldn't be a shock to see an established second-tier Derby (i.e. West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or Indiana) follow suit. Certainly, the owners of past Triple Crown winners have been successfully hooked by such opportunistic one-offs (see Secretariat, see Seattle Slew).

Waiting for a later race would also cut down hope of a Travers start or a race against older horses before the BC Classic.

I hope so. I just found it odd during the interview he said
"as long as he's healthy" about 3 times.
I was thinking Freudian slip

From what I hear as long as it has nothing to do with his money his word is good.

:tro::tro::tro:

who would pass up appearance fees if it's a sensible spot? and if anything, they might say no anyhow, but it might make the track they're shooting for pony up some bucks to match the offer.
get it while you can.
unless you're cal chromes owner. then you're satan if you do it.

I took a picture of American Pharoah and Victor this morning.

American Pharoah might have public workout
By Steve Andersen

ARCADIA, Calif. – Triple Crown winner American Pharoah might have a workout between races on the June 27 card at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.

American Pharoah, who was shipped Thursday from Kentucky to California, is scheduled to be at least paraded between races June 27, the day of the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Baffert said he wants to work American Pharoah that weekend and will speak with Santa Anita officials about the possibility of a public workout.

“That would be pretty cool,” Baffert said.

American Pharoah has not had a workout since his historic win in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, when he became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. Owned by Ahmed Zayat, American Pharoah was paraded between races at Churchill Downs last Saturday in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

“They weren’t loud,” Baffert said of the audience. “They were taking pictures and getting close. That poor horse thought he was going over for the fourth leg [of the Triple Crown]. When he realized he wasn’t running, he relaxed.”

I was wondering how it would affect him, and saw him getting a bit sweaty in the beginning. I know it's not a "common" thing for people to do with famous horses and often wonder what has to be going through a horses mind. I know they are schooled in the paddocks a lot and I suppose this helps get them accustomed to it all, but still.. Pharaoh must have been thinking "These people have lost their mind if they think I am running again today!"