American Pharoah 1-5 favorite for Haskell in 8-horse field

OCEANPORT (AP) — Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has been made the overwhelming 1-5 favorite in a field of eight 3-year-olds for Sunday's $1.75 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.

This will be American Pharoah's first race since he swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes and became the 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 37 years.

American Pharoah will leave from the No. 4 gate following Thursday's draw and be ridden by Victor Espinoza. He is owned by Ahmed Zayat of Teaneck, New Jersey, and trained by Bob Baffert.

A winner in seven of eight career starts with more than $4 million in earnings, American Pharoah is not taking on the most formidable field. Upstart, who ran 18th in the Kentucky Derby in his last start, is the second choice at 6-1, and will be ridden by Monmouth favorite Joe Bravo.

Competitive Edge is the third choice at 8-1, followed by Keen Ice (12-1), Mr Jordan (15-1) and Nonna's Boy, Top Clearance and Dontbetwithbruno, all 30-1.

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