American Pharoah - Parades At Churchill Downs 6/13/2015

Other than fidgeting briefly in the same Churchill Downs paddock where he prepped for the Kentucky Derby, American Pharoah was his usual cool self during his victory lap for the Triple Crown.

On the other hand, owner Ahmed Zayat and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert could barely contain themselves during a celebration Saturday night that included an estimated 30,000 supporters who couldn't get enough of the bay colt.

"I've been on Cloud Nine since the Derby and that's a very long time to be excited," Zayat said after the owner, Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza received engraved trophies for American Pharoah's one-length Derby victory. "It's really surreal. ... Honestly, it's all about the horse. It's all about American Pharoah. He's making everybody look unreal."

American Pharoah certainly commanded the attention of a loud, supportive crowd on a steamy June night.

The bay colt paraded before the grandstand and around the paddock Saturday night before throngs of camera-clicking onlookers lined up four rows deep to view the 12th Triple Crown champion and first since 1978. The crowd marked a jump from last year's 21,671 for the night card, and they stayed around long to witness a part of racing history.

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