OCEANPORT, NJ (AP) — American Pharoah flashed his speed in the stretch and easily won the US$1.75 million Haskell Invitational on Sunday last in his first race since sweeping the Triple Crown.

With a record crowd of 60,983 cheering him on at Monmouth Park, American Pharoah came out of the final turn with a clear lead and cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory without any urging from jockey Victor Espinoza.

American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes to become the 12th Triple Crown winner, and the first in 37 years. Following a 57-day break after the Belmont, the three-year-old colt looked better than ever in winning his eighth consecutive race.

Sent off at odds of 1-10, American Pharoah is the shortest price winner in Haskell history, returning US$2.20 for a US$2 win bet. He paid US$2.10 to place and US$2.10 to show. Keen Ice rallied for second at 18-1 odds, followed by Upstart, Competitive Edge, Top Clearance, Dontbetwithbruno and Mr Jordan.

American Pharoah’s next start is now the biggest question in racing. There’s no answer yet, but options include the Travers at Saratoga on August 29, the Pennsylvania Derby on September 19, and the Awesome Again at Santa Anita on September 26.

“No clue,” American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat said when asked about his colt’s next race. “We’re going to enjoy this moment.”

If all goes according to plan, American Pharoah will run his final race in the US$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky on October 31. And then, he’s headed down the road to the breeding shed at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud.

“He ran like a champ,” Espinoza said.

The final margin was deceptive since Espinoza never asked American Pharoah to run any harder than necessary.

“That was nerve-racking,” Bob Baffert said after his eighth win in the Haskell, five more than any other trainer. “I was getting pretty nervous. This horse, he just keeps bringing it. He’s just a great horse.

Of the 12 Crown winners, eight have now won in their first race after the Belmont. One, Count Fleet, was retired after the 1943 Belmont with an injury.

American Pharoah opened his career with a loss, but has won eight in a row since — seven of them Grade 1 races. With the US$1.1 million payday in the Haskell, the son of Pioneer of the Nile’s career earnings soared to US$5.6 million.

As he was led back to the winner’s circle, the cheers continued.

“I couldn’t believe the crowd, how loud it was,” an emotional Baffert said, his voice breaking. “It was a great crowd. I love bringing my horses here. Thank you for being behind Pharoah the whole way.”