American Pharoah arrives at Belmont Park

ELMONT, N.Y. – American Pharoah, who on Saturday will attempt to become the sport's 12th Triple Crown winner when he competes in the Belmont Stakes, arrived at Belmont Park on Tuesday following a flight from Kentucky and then a van ride from the local airport, a trip that took almost five hours from door to door.

After getting off the van, trainer Bob Baffert walked him a few times around the shed row, something he likes to do in the afternoon with his horses. He said it allows him to gauge his horses' energy level by the way they walk, saying he gets a feel for the horse through the lead shank.

He was very happy with how American Pharoah felt. At one point, American Pharoah stopped to survey things, becalmed as usual. "He's a smart, classy dude," Baffert said in admiration of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. A few minutes later at a press conference, Baffert channeled the Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch by joking, "I'm only here so I won't get fined." Baffert said American Pharoah "looks really well for what he's been through." "He felt pretty strong," Baffert said.

American Pharoah had never been to Belmont Park until now. He will get his first feel of the track Wednesday morning with a jog Baffert said would take place just after the midmorning renovation break. American Pharoah is scheduled to gallop Thursday and Friday. Baffert's usual itinerary on race-day morning is to merely walk the shed row, so that's all American Pharoah likely will do Saturday morning.

American Pharoah was accompanied on the flight by Keen Ice, one of his rivals in the Belmont, and the Baffert-trained Bayern, who is scheduled for the Met Mile on Saturday, only his second start since winning the Breeders' Cup Classic last fall. "Bayern, he came off the van breathing fire," Baffert said.