American Pharoah to arrive at Saratoga

The American Pharoah road show will roll into Saratoga, New York, this afternoon, when the Triple Crown champion will be greeted like the conquering hero he is.

"To see him means a lot to people," trainer Bob Baffert said yesterday on a conference call. "It's the Pharoah tour, and it's pretty incredible. I feel like I'm bringing the Beatles to town.

"Racing needed some good news, and he was the good news."

Sunday's announcement that Pharoah would run in Saturday's 146th Travers Stakes thrilled the locals and the New York Racing Association. Owner Ahmed Zayat and Justin Zayat, his father's 23-year-old racing manager, were eager to run in the Midsummer Derby, but Baffert was giving off vibes that he wouldn't have minded staying in Southern California this week.

After the Belmont Stakes, Ahmed Zayat said the rest of the year would be all about adding to Pharoah's legacy.