American Pharoah sails home an easy Haskell winner

Victor Espinoza smiles for the camera as American Pharoah lopes home in the Haskell (Aubrey Therkelsen/Equi-Photo)

Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) added yet another
easy win to his resume when galloping home under restraint from jockey Victor
Espinoza to take the
Haskell
Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park on Sunday. The win gave trainer Bob
Baffert his eighth Haskell score.

American Pharoah broke on top in the 1 1/8-mile contest, but settled into a
stalking spot just off Competitive Edge’s (Super Saver) flank when that one
slipped through to his inside. The popular bay colt’s smooth stride carried him
effortlessly around the track and on past Competitive Edge upon hitting the
turn.

At first the Zayat Stables homebred opened up in the lane, completely under
his own power, before Espinoza took a hold and began gearing him down. That
allowed Keen Ice (Curlin) to close the gap in second, with Upstart (Flatter) and
Competitive Edge (Super Saver) following in third and fourth, respectively.