With a crowd of about 15,000 cheering him all the way, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has galloped around Saratoga Racecourse the day before he runs in the $US1.6 million ($A2.23 million) Travers Stakes.
Thousands lined the fences along pathways from the colt’s barn to the main track on Friday (Saturday AEST).
As he ran past the grandstand, thousands more cheered and raised mobile phones to capture the moment. After 1-1/2 miles (2400m), American Pharoah was eased up and walked back to his barn for a sponge bath.
“We had a nice little gallop today and it looks like everything went smooth,” trainer Bob Baffert said.
“I could tell he really liked the track. He was floating around there like he usually does. He had his ears up, and was moving out there pretty well.”
The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years is the 1-5 favourite in a 10-horse field for the Travers.
Baffert was bowled over by the reception his star horse received for a simple gallop.
“I was pretty overwhelmed. It was pretty incredible,” Baffert said.
“I know he’s got a big backing and has a lot of fans, but it seems like it keeps growing and growing. I feel like it puts more pressure on me, like I’m his guardian. I think it’s great younger kids will remember this.”
After becoming the 12th horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, American Pharoah was honoured all over the country.
He was paraded at Churchill Downs in Kentucky before a crowd of about 30,000, showcased at Santa Anita in California in front of some 20,000 fans a few weeks later and then won the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park in New Jersey before a record crowd of more than 60,000.
A sell-out crowd of 50,000 is set for Travers Day.
Baffert said now that the Haskell is behind him, the Pharoah Tour was in full swing at the Spa, where this horse-crazed town is calling itself Pharatoga.
“This is what you want to see in horse racing,” Baffert said.
“Racing needed a boost. We have some really great horses that run and put on big performances, but sometimes lots of people aren’t there to see them.”
Baffert knows he’s in charge of racing’s most valuable jewel. And that makes him nervous.
“I feel like I’m protecting the president of the United States and I’m a Secret Service guy making sure nothing happens to him,” he said.
