The colt's next start was in the August 29 Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
 While Zayat wanted to enter the race, Baffert was reluctant.
The race marked the second time in under a month that American Pharoah, training with Baffert in California, had flown across the country, raising concerns that the extensive air travel was taking a toll on the horse.
 The only previous Triple Crown winner to win the Travers was Whirlaway in 1941, and two others, Gallant Fox and Affirmed, had been defeated there, helping give the track its nickname "Graveyard of Champions".
 Baffert had one Travers win (in 2001 with Point Given) in five previous attempts.
With American Pharoah training well, he stated, "I've been looking for an excuse not to come (to the Travers) and I can't find one."
 
American Pharoah faced a field of 10 horses, most of whom, including Keen Ice, he had previously defeated.
 Espinoza had concerns at the starting gate when he noticed that his mount was already sweating, even though the weather was not particularly hot.
 While the horse led for much of the race, he was hard-pressed throughout by Frosted, a change from Frosted's previous stalking style, attributed to a rider change less than an hour before the race, when Jose Lezcano replaced an injured Joel Rosario, altering the "complexion" of the race.
 The unexpected tactics of Lezcano may have been decisive.
Espinoza stated that he "knew he was in trouble" by the half-mile pole because American Pharoah did not pull away from his rival and lacked his usual energy.
Frosted challenged American Pharoah for the lead at the far turn, and the horses bumped several times, but American Pharoah dug in and fought back when Frosted took a very brief lead.
While American Pharoah fended off the challenge from Frosted, Keen Ice was coming up on the outside, also under a new jockey, Javier Castellano.
They overtook American Pharoah at the sixteenth pole, going on to defeat him by three-quarters of a length.
Once again the Saratoga track lived up to its reputation.

After the race, Espinoza said, "He's OK ... Maybe it was just a little too much for him those three weeks, flying back and forth.
He was running pretty comfortable there, but not like he used to."
Baffert was proud of the horse's fighting effort, stating "It was just guts."
 Though Zayat talked of retiring the horse, Baffert said, "We knew we were doing the impossible, shipping him back and forth."
 The following day, Baffert said that American Pharoah was healthy and came out of the race in good shape.
He said he had no regrets, stating, "I'm glad I brought him.
Racing needed something like this.
He almost pulled it off."
 Regarding Zayat's talk of retiring the horse, Baffert said, "Mr. Zayat is a very emotional man.
We were all pretty disappointed ... I know (Zayat) will be going back and forth ... He's a sportsman for bringing him up here."
Five days later, Zayat announced that the horse would be kept in training with the goal to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic, stating, "I believe there were a combination of factors that prevented American Pharoah from running his absolute best ... I have every confidence that he can run to his best again, and he deserves the chance to do so."
The colt's next start was in the August 29 Travers Stakes at Saratoga.  While Zayat wanted to enter the race, Baffert was reluctant. The race marked the second time in under a month that American Pharoah, training with Baffert in California, had flown across the country, raising concerns that the extensive air travel was taking a toll on the horse.  The only previous Triple Crown winner to win the Travers was Whirlaway in 1941, and two others, Gallant Fox and Affirmed, had been defeated there, helping give the track its nickname "Graveyard of Champions".  Baffert had one Travers win (in 2001 with Point Given) in five previous attempts. With American Pharoah training well, he stated, "I've been looking for an excuse not to come (to the Travers) and I can't find one."  
American Pharoah faced a field of 10 horses, most of whom, including Keen Ice, he had previously defeated.  Espinoza had concerns at the starting gate when he noticed that his mount was already sweating, even though the weather was not particularly hot.  While the horse led for much of the race, he was hard-pressed throughout by Frosted, a change from Frosted's previous stalking style, attributed to a rider change less than an hour before the race, when Jose Lezcano replaced an injured Joel Rosario, altering the "complexion" of the race.  The unexpected tactics of Lezcano may have been decisive. Espinoza stated that he "knew he was in trouble" by the half-mile pole because American Pharoah did not pull away from his rival and lacked his usual energy. Frosted challenged American Pharoah for the lead at the far turn, and the horses bumped several times, but American Pharoah dug in and fought back when Frosted took a very brief lead. While American Pharoah fended off the challenge from Frosted, Keen Ice was coming up on the outside, also under a new jockey, Javier Castellano. They overtook American Pharoah at the sixteenth pole, going on to defeat him by three-quarters of a length. Once again the Saratoga track lived up to its reputation.
After the race, Espinoza said, "He's OK ... Maybe it was just a little too much for him those three weeks, flying back and forth. He was running pretty comfortable there, but not like he used to." Baffert was proud of the horse's fighting effort, stating "It was just guts."  Though Zayat talked of retiring the horse, Baffert said, "We knew we were doing the impossible, shipping him back and forth."  The following day, Baffert said that American Pharoah was healthy and came out of the race in good shape. He said he had no regrets, stating, "I'm glad I brought him. Racing needed something like this. He almost pulled it off."  Regarding Zayat's talk of retiring the horse, Baffert said, "Mr. Zayat is a very emotional man. We were all pretty disappointed ... I know (Zayat) will be going back and forth ... He's a sportsman for bringing him up here." Five days later, Zayat announced that the horse would be kept in training with the goal to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic, stating, "I believe there were a combination of factors that prevented American Pharoah from running his absolute best ... I have every confidence that he can run to his best again, and he deserves the chance to do so."
American Pharoah