Fans arrive at midnight to see American Pharoah in Haskell Invitational

Sorry Odell, but when it comes to diehard fans, it looks like another New Jersey-bred star might be giving you a run for your money. And this sports star is faster and even pays off too.

Causing all this new fan fuss is Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah who is set to run in the $1.75 million William Hill Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

According to NJ.com, railbirds hoping to get a glimpse of the champion thoroughbred  began lining up outside the front gate of the New Jersey track almost 18 hours before the horse even entered the stating gate:

Brick Township resident Steven Prosser was the first in line outside the main gate of the racetrack at midnight, nearly 18 hours before the scheduled post time for the main event.

This year's Haskell was be the 25^th Prosser attended, but he said he made sure to arrive extra early this year to reserve enough tables in the picnic area to accommodate a large group of family and friends.

"I love horse racing anyway, but it is monumental to get the chance to see a Triple Crown winner," Prosser said. "We might never get to see one again in our lifetime."

The gates to the parking lots were scheduled to open at 5 a.m., but they opened about 10 minutes early and seconds later there was already a long line of out of breath racing fans stretching from the general admission entrances.

At 9 a.m., there was a mad dash for the tables in the general admission picnic area, and in less than a minute all of the tables in the section closest to the track were accounted for.

Long line to get into #Haskell2015, #APPHaskell pic.twitter.com/Ki3quTLKpM

— jean mikle (@jeanmikle) August 2, 2015

So what's more memorable? A Triple Crown or The Catch?

Oddsmakers give AP 1-to-5 odds to win this Sunday but only give OBJ a 30-to-1 chance of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on Super Bowl Sunday.

Take the horse.

American Pharoah will return to track at Haskell Invitational: Report

For those railbirds waiting for American Pharoah to come out of the gate again, here's news to put under your pork-pie hat. The history making horse officially has a return date and next up for the Triple Crown winner is the $1-million Haskell Invitational on Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.

Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Thursday that the first Triple Crown winner since 1978 will run in the 11/8-mile stakes for 3-year-olds on the New Jersey racetrack, according to the Daily Racing Form.

It will be American Pharoah's first race since he ran away from the Belmont Stakes field by 51/2 lengths on June 6.

"The Haskell is the first logical spot to bring him back," said Baffert. "We just wanted to make sure we were happy with the way he came out of the Belmont. That mile-and-a-half was pretty stiff, but he's doing well.''

The Haskell originally was the heavy favorite for Pharoah's comeback, but on June 18 owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat tweeted that Saratoga's 1 1/4-mile Travers Stakes on Aug. 29 was in contention.

Baffert has won the Haskell a record seven times, including in 2012 with Paynter, whom Zayat also owned. And Zayat, a New Jersey resident, said the Haskell "sentimentally" was his choice. 

"We're overjoyed," Monmouth Park president Bob Kulina told The Associated Press. "I want to thank Mr. Zayat and Bob for picking the Haskell.''

A 3-furlong run in 36 2/5 seconds Monday morning at Santa Anita convinced Baffert that Pharoah was ready to get back to the turf. It was his first timed workout since the Belmont.

"He worked like a champ,'' Baffert said. "He won't do any serious work until we get to Del Mar, but he's pretty tight right now and ready to go.''

There is speculation that the purse might be raised even higher to guarantee his participation.

Was that a collective "Aaaaayyy" from the Jersey Shore I just heard?

Gov. Christie signs bill to permit sports betting in New Jersey: Report

New Jersey is moving ahead with plans to permit betting on sports in the state and one racetrack already said it will start taking bets as early as next weekend.

Despite a federal challenge lodged by major professional sports leagues and the NCAA to halt betting on team sports, on Friday, Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill passed this week in the Legislature that would partially repeal New Jersey's prohibition on sports wagering, reported ESPN.com.

Supporters of the legislation hail it as a potential remedy for the state's struggling racetrack and casino industries, but the effort faces significant opposition from professional sports leagues and the NCAA.

Monmouth Park Racetrack said it plans to begin on Oct. 26. and has already built a sports-wagering facility at the track. Racetrack adviser Dennis Drazin said it has set up an independent entity to regulate the wagering and it will be managed by the British bookmaking company William Hill.

Spokesmen for Major League Baseball and the NBA, NFL and NHL declined to comment. 

The state attorney general withdrew its request for a U.S. District Court judge to clarify an injunction preventing sports betting after Christie signed the measure. Christie said he believes the bill adheres to federal law and responds to the issues raised in federal courts.

"As I've said all along, I am a strong proponent of legalized sports wagering in New Jersey," Christie said in a statement. "But given earlier decisions by federal courts, it was critical that we follow a correct and appropriate path to curtail new court challenges and expensive litigation. I believe we have found that path in this bipartisan legislative effort."

While the Christie administration supports sports betting at racetracks and casinos, no casino in the state has announced plans to offer sports betting.

Most casino operators are publicly traded companies with operations in multiple states and countries, and most are concerned that operating in potential defiance of a federal law could cost the company licenses in other jurisdictions.