Dazzling Haskell adds to American Pharoah’s burgeoning legacy

The stunning ease of American Pharoah’s Haskell Invitational victory elicited a wide range of emotions – the Triple Crown champion was basically out for a seven-furlong workout in the 1 1/8-mile race, with a quarter-mile gallop-out to the finish line – and NBC announcer Larry Collmus summed it up perfectly:

“It’s a rousing return for a living legend. American Pharoah wins by three lengths, he could have won by 20.”

American Pharoah looked better than ever and it’s sheer delight watching him perform.

Victor Espinoza left plenty in reserve for next time, possibly the Travers Stakes at Saratoga four weeks later, and American Pharoah’s Haskell won’t be accurately judged by Speed/performance numbers, which are based upon the concept horses run as fast as they can in races.

The numbers are not projections of how fast a horse could’ve run yet that’s a legitimate question in wake of an incredible Haskell display -- – American Pharoah looked like he could’ve broken the track record if desired and leaves everybody wondering how fast he can truly run.

Here are American Pharoah’s briset.com lifetime past performances (5044 report):

American Pharoah had won easily plenty of times previously but the Haskell took it to a new level. He generates so much anticipation for upcoming starts and the thought of American Pharoah laying it all on the line in his career finale, the October 31 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, gives me goosebumps.

“This horse, he just keeps bringing it,” trainer Bob Baffert said after the Haskell. “He’s just a great horse.”

American Pharoah winning Haskell photo courtesy of Aubrey Therkelsen/Equi-Photo