The brilliant career of American Pharoah, who briefly returned his sport to national attention as the first Triple Crown champion in 37 years, may have reached an inglorious end.
Ahmed Zayat, owner of the 3-year-old colt, raised that prospect several times after American Pharoah withstood race-long pressure from Frosted only to have Keen Ice blow past him by three-quarters of a length in the 146th Travers Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
"If this horse is one percent not the American Pharoah that we cherish, show's over," an emotional Zayat said during the post-race news conference.