SCHUMER: AMERICAN PHAROAH BELONGS AT A RACE TRACK MADE FOR SUCH A HISTORIC CHAMPION, SENATOR URGES OWNER & TRAINER TO BRING TRIPLE-CROWN WINNING HORSE TO SARATOGA’S CLASSIC RACE COURSE; SARATOGA IS THE MOST HISTORIC TRACK IN THE COUNTRY – FANS WOULD FLOCK TO SEE AMERICA’S GREATEST THOROUGHBRED HORSE, COMPETE AT AMERICA’S GREATEST RACE TRACK

American Pharoah’s Owners Have Said They Intend to Run The Thoroughbred in Races This Summer Following His Triple Crown Victory at the Belmont Stakes – Schumer Says This Great Champion Should Race At the Most Historic & Renowned Race Course 

Saratoga is Already Steeped in History, And Schumer Says Running Historic Triple Crown Winner at Historic Track is Only Fitting
 
Schumer: American Pharoah Belongs In A Raceway Fitted For Such A Historic Champion

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the owner and trainer of recent Triple Crown winner from the Belmont Stakes, American Pharoah, to bring their champion to the historic Saratoga Race Course this summer. Schumer urged owner Ahmad Zayat and trainer Bob Baffert, to bring the legendary colt to one of the most historic and renowned race tracks in the country. Mr. Zayat and Mr. Baffert have expressed several times that they intend to run American Pharoah in races this summer. Schumer said there is no better place to run him than the Saratoga Race Course because of its strong history and tradition. In fact, Schumer said this track is where many of the greatest horses have competed, including Secretariat, Man O’ War, Gallant Fox, Roamer, Alysheba, Easy Goer, Alydar, Holy Bull, and Whirlaway. In addition, the whole region is steeped in history; just miles from the track, the American colonists turned the tide of the Revolution in the fall of 1777. Schumer said there is clearly no better place for a historic winner to run than on a historic track. Finally, Schumer said American Pharoah will someday be enshrined in the horseracing Hall of Fame just down Union Street from the Saratoga Race Course, meaning it is only appropriate that the famed thoroughbred run there, too.
 
“Saratoga Race Course is a classic American racing palace, built for a champion like American Pharoah. There is no better venue for American Pharoah to kick off his summer racing season than the Saratoga Race Course. From Secretariat to Whirlaway, the Saratoga Race Course has hosted some of the most famous, world-renowned horses in the history of the sport,” said Senator Schumer. “Bringing this once-in-a-generation thoroughbred to the Saratoga Race Course would not only make history in this already historically steeped area, but attract thousands of visitors to the Capital Region to help support local businesses. American Pharoah deserves only the best racing venues in front of tens of thousands of fans and the Saratoga Race Course in beautiful Upstate New York can provide just that.”
 
Bringing American Pharoah to Saratoga this summer would increase economic development and tourism around the surrounding area. Saratoga already sees tens of thousands of visitors, who flock to the Saratoga Race Course each summer, and American Pharoah would only increase the number of visitors. Thus, with such an influx of tourists, local businesses and hotels would greatly benefit if such a momentous race took place.
 
Schumer said the Saratoga Race Course presents American Pharoah with the opportunity to continue his illustrious career at a globally-recognized venue. Schumer said American Pharoah has rightfully earned a place in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. It would therefore be fitting, Schumer said, to let American Pharoah run just down the street at Saratoga Race Course this summer.
 
Opened in 1863, the Saratoga Race Course is the third-oldest racetrack in the United States and has witnessed history throughout its time. A few miles from the race track, American colonists turned the tide of war in the Battles of Saratoga in the fall of 1877, paving the way for their eventual victory in the Revolutionary War. Saratoga Race Course has hosted horses such as Secretariat, Man O’War, Gallant Fox, and Whirlaway – the only horse to win the Triple Crown and the Travers Stakes. Schumer said American Pharoah would be more than welcome to join this illustrious list of horses.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter to owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Robert Baffert appears below:

Mr. Ahmed Zayat                                                                   Mr. Robert Baffert

Zayat Stables, LLC                                                                 Zayat Stables, LLC

401 Hackensack Ave                                                             401 Hackensack Ave

Hackensack, NJ 07601                                                          Hackensack, NJ 07601

Dear Sirs:

Congratulations on American Pharoah’s great victory in the Belmont Stakes and your historic achievement of winning the Triple Crown! Americans across the country have thrilled at the beauty, majesty and skill of this once-in-a -generation thoroughbred. Those of us in major horse racing states owe you a debt of gratitude for reinvigorating the sport and putting it back in the forefront of people’s minds. I was very pleased to hear both of you say that you appreciate the need to share this great champion with as many people as possible and intend to run him in races this summer.

I write, therefore, to urge you to bring your historic and already-legendary colt to the most historic and legendary race track in the country, Saratoga Race Course. This is a marriage made in racing heaven. As you know, each summer the world’s racing fans flock to this jewel in historic Upstate New York. The whole region is steeped in history; just miles from the track, the American colonists turned the tide of the Revolution in the fall of 1777.  

I know that you have several options on where to go this summer, but there is only one “Summer place to be” – Saratoga, USA. It’s the oldest and greatest of the American racetracks. It where the greatest horses have always run: Secretariat, Man O’ War, Gallant Fox, Roamer, Alysheba, Easy Goer, Alydar, Holy Bull, and, of course, Whirlaway – the only horse to win the Triple Crown and the Travers Stakes.  

In a few years, American Pharoah will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame just down Union Street from the Saratoga Race Course. It is only proper that he should run there, too. For his legacy, for fans of the sport, and for the future of sport itself, please bring American Pharoah to this classic American racing palace.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

 

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