An Inside Look At Company That Sponsored American Pharoah Hours Before Race

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A locally based company specializing in private aviation sponsored American Pharaoh in a deal that was sealed hours before the race.

"The CEO and Founder of Wheels Up really had a strong feeling that American Pharaoh was going to bring it home so we did the partnership and he won," explained Miles Rogers of Wheels Up.

But, behind-the-scenes, it was a last-minute gamble on the sponsor's part.

"It was almost surreal just to see it all happening really the global recognition of that happening. People were reaching out," he said.

The logo for Wheels Up was seen during the Belmont Stakes race as jockey Victor Espinoza wore it while riding the racehorse.

But the logo has been popping up in more than sporting events.

For instance, it's been seen in movies, like "Entourage," and on reality shows like the "Real Housewives of Orange County."

It's a rapid media blitz for Wheels Up, a company founded just two years ago with a promise to make private air travel more accessible.

"It really is a flying SUV," Rogers said.

The flying SUV is one that caters to the rich and famous. The company's West Coast headquarters is based in Santa Monica.

Rogers gave CBSLA a tour of the operation at Santa Monica Airport.

"It's a one-time fee for $17,500. The annual dues, just like to stay in the golf club, are $8,500," he said.

The company says people who join get access to private planes and invitations to star-studded parties.

"A lot of people have told us that they think it's one of the best sports marketing plays that they've seen in a long time," he said.

It might seem pricey, but Wheels Up says it saves travelers money by often using turbo props instead of jets.

Flight time is also charged at straight hourly fees without additional fuels cost, management, or service fees.

"So if you brought four friends as a member and I brought four friends, it would literally be $500 per person to fly to Las Vegas," Rogers added. "Flying privately is just something that never gets old."