OCEANPORT, N.J. — American Pharoah turned on the speed in the stretch and easily won the $1.75 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday in his first race since sweeping the Triple Crown.

With a record crowd of 60,983 cheering him at Monmouth Park, American Pharoah came out of the final turn with a clear lead and cruised to a 21/4-length victory without urging from jockey Victor Espinoza.

American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes to become the 12th Triple Crown winner, and first in 37 years. After a 57-day break following the Belmont, the 3-year-old colt looked better than ever in winning his eighth consecutive race.

Sent off at odds of 1-10, American Pharoah became the shortest price in Haskell history, returning $2.20 for a $2 win bet.

Keen Ice rallied for second at 18-1 odds, followed by Upstart, Competitive Edge, Top Clearance, Dontbetwithbruno and Mr. Jordan. The winning time for the 11/8-mile race was 1:47.95 – 95 hundredths of a second off the Haskell record.

American Pharoah’s next start is now the biggest question in racing. There’s no answer yet, but options include the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 29, the Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19, and the Awesome Again at Santa Anita on Sept. 26.

“No clue,” American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat said when asked about his colt’s next race. “We’re going to enjoy this moment.”

If all goes according to plan, American Pharoah will run his final race in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, on Oct. 31. And then he’s headed down the road to the breeding shed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud.

On Sunday, American Pharoah broke well from post No. 4, but it was Competitive Edge who took the early lead.


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