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Triple Crown stars still riding high 2 weeks after Belmont

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The party's still on for the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years - and the owner, trainer and jockey. Since American Pharoah completed his sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the past few weeks have turned into a whirlwind of TV appearances, first pitches and victory celebrations for owner Ahmed Zayat, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza.

For American Pharoah, too.

''It's excitement. It's what you do it for,'' Zayat said before his champion was paraded around Churchill Downs to the cheers of 30,000 last weekend. ''But again, it's all about American Pharoah. He is one hell of a horse.''

A look at who's been where, done what, and what's ahead for Team American Pharoah.

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BIDDING WARS

What's next for American Pharoah? The Haskell? Jim Dandy? Pacific Classic? Here's what we know as of Sunday: The owner insists his Triple Crown winner will race again and Baffert will make the decision on when and where. Three more starts before retirement is the plan, with the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, on Oct. 31, the goal for his finale. Then, it's down the road to the breeding shed at Coolmore's Ashford Stud. Any training setback could send American Pharoah immediately into retirement. The $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park in New Jersey on Aug. 2 is the favorite. Baffert has won the race seven times, and there's lots of bonus money already waiting for the owner, trainer and jockey. Zayat lives in Jersey, too. The $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga in New York is Aug. 1, and it's doubtful the New York Racing Association would consider offering incentives. Del Mar, meanwhile, is considering a $5 million bonus to keep American Pharoah in California. A horse would have to win the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 22, another race at Del Mar (likely the Awesome Again), and then the BC Classic to cash in. Parx Racing is making a pitch for American Pharoah to run in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 19.

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AMERICAN PHAROAH

As racing royalty, there can't be enough pampering. Despite winning three races in five weeks at three different tracks, the champ is still on the move. After the Belmont on June 6, he was returned to Baffert's barn at Churchill Downs, with police escort from airport to stable. He posed for photos with fans, went for a jog or two around the track, was feted at a ''Pharoah Fest'' at the track - and strutted his stuff for a photo shoot by Vogue. On Thursday, he was back on a plane - dubbed Air Horse One - to Santa Anita. A hero's welcome followed, with a police escort and huge horse trailer decked out with American Pharoah signage (on the roof, too, so helicopters could spot it) taking him to the barn. He was met by Baffert and family, a slew of media - and actress Julia Roberts. The colt jogged one mile on Sunday, a celebration is planned at the track on Saturday, and then American Pharoah resumes training.

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VICTOR ESPINOZA

The popular jockey has shown up on ''Access Hollywood,'' ''Today'' and ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,'' and did interviews with Charlie Rose, Geraldo Rivera and Rolling Stone magazine. He also took a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, where he appeared on the CMT Music Awards show - in an eye-catching red suit - and posed for a photo with Carrie Underwood. Let's not forget throwing out ceremonial first pitches at Yankee Stadium and at the New York Mets' Citi Field. He showed up at Churchill Downs on June 13 for a celebration that drew 30,000 cheering fans as American Pharoah was paraded on the track. After returning home to California, he popped up at an Angels game, then jumped back in the saddle Thursday after a 12-day break and won two races. On Monday, he's visiting patients at the City of Hope hospital in Duarte, California, where he's donating his earnings from the Belmont (about $90,000). He'll be at Santa Anita on Saturday when American Pharoah is paraded in front of another large crowd. On July 4, he'll be riding in a VIP car at a parade in Sierra Madre. Agent Brian Beach says the jockey has offers ranging from speaking at a business conference in Mexico City to riding at a track in Turkey.

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BOB BAFFERT

If there's ever been a happier trainer ... well, there isn't, is there? Never more gracious in a Hall of Fame career that has drawn as much criticism as praise, Baffert wants everyone to share in his good fortune. He's allowed fans, media and just about everyone else access to his horse. ''I didn't realize it was going to be this big,'' he said. The trainer has made his share of appearances - a victory lap and ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on June 9 for one - but his focus is on his stable of stars and deciding American Pharoah's next move. He also donated $50,000 to each of four racing charities.

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AHMED ZAYAT

He's been all over business TV shows, including ''Squawk Box,'' ''Morning Joe'' and ''Secret Lives Of The Super Rich.'' His Zayat Stables own 143 horses other than American Pharoah, and he has another business that frequently takes him to Europe, where he jetted off to a few days ago. The 52-year-old Egyptian who lives in Teaneck, New Jersey says, ''This sport without any stars is not good. It is a dying sport and we really needed this and wanted that. This is our horse, it's everybody's horse. Everybody needs to see him.''

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Follow Richard Rosenblatt on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/rosenblattap