LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On a hot and humid day, American Pharoah, the 12th Triple Crown winner, returned to a king’s homecoming at Churchill Downs. The euphoric coronation began Friday, when he returned to the dirt at 6:45 a.m. for a jog. It ended Saturday evening before an estimated crowd of 30,000 who came from near and far to see the bay colt for themselves and fawn over the horse that has revitalized a proud sport.
Cloaked in white cloth, American Pharoah was paraded along the eastern side of the track and into the plaza like a war hero.