American Pharoah to parade for Santa Anita crowd on Saturday

Racing’s much-celebrated 12th Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah, will parade for the crowd at Santa Anita on Saturday, between the seventh and eighth races.

Pharoah, who became the first thoroughbred in 37 years, since Affirmed in 1978, to win all three legs of the sport’s coveted Triple Crown with his June 6 victory in the Belmont Stakes, will make his way through the track’s Seabiscuit paddock area and then on to the main track.

He will eventually make his way to the winners’ circle, where trainer Bob Baffert, jockey Victor Espinoza and other members of his connection will join the celebration. Then American Pharoah will walk the homestretch in front of the grandstand, to come closer to the fans, en route to Baffert’s barn.

American Pharoah is expected to race at least twice more, including the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, Ky., before retiring to stud at the end of his 3-year-old career.

Saturday’s racing will feature the $500,000 Gold Cup and three additional graded stakes.

—Bill Dwyre