American Pharoah wins Belmont Stakes, Triple Crown — PHOTOS
American Pharoah Wins Triple Crown
June 6, 2015 - 5:44 pm
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Jockey Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, celebrates after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)
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Jockey Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, races towards the finishes line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
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Jockey Victor Espinoza, sitting a top American Pharoah, waves to fans from the winners circle after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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Owner Ahmed Zayat (R) is surrounded by members of his family as they raise the Triple Crown trophy after his horse American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza (L) aboard, won the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
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Owner Ahmed Zayat is surrounded by members of his family as he raises the Triple Crown trophy after his horse American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard, won the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; Owner Ahmed Zayat, jockey Victor Espinoza and trainer Bob Baffert celebrate American Pharoah (5) won the 2015 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; Owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Bob Baffert celebrate with Victor Espinoza after American Pharoah (5) won the 2015 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza, nears the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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Fans cheer on as Jockey Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, passes the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; Owner Ahmed Zayat celebrates winning the Triple Crown with his family after American Pharoah (5) won the 2015 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; Victor Espinoza aboard American Pharoah (5) sits in the winners circle after winning the 2015 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; Victor Espinoza aboard American Pharoah (5) sits in the winners circle after winning the 2015 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; American Pharoah with Victor Espinoza wins the 2015 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; A fan holds up a sign signifying the winning of the Triple Crown American Pharoah (5) after the 2015 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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American Pharoah (R), with jockey Victor Espinoza, crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza, nears the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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Owner Ahmed Zayat (R) and a companion celebrate after jockey Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, won the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
![](https://develop.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/web1_2015-06-07t003810z_1741640955_tb3eb6701rbr7_rtrmadp_3_horseracing-belmont_0.jpg)
American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza, crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; American Pharoah jockey Victor Espinoza waves to the media in the winner's circle after winning the 2015 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. American Pharoah won all three legs of the Triple Crown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 6, 2015; Elmont, NY, USA; American Pharoah (5) finishes ahead of Frosted (6) to win the 2015 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. American Pharoah won all three legs of the Triple Crown. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Owner Ahmed Zayat (in cap) talks to his horse as jockey Victor Espinoza, aboard American Pharoah, celebrates after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as well as the Triple Crown, in Elmont, New York June 6, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
American Pharoah entered the pantheon of U.S. thoroughbred racing’s all-time greats by winning the Belmont Stakes on Saturday to become the first horse to capture the coveted Triple Crown in nearly four decades.
In winning his seventh straight race, in wire-to-wire fashion, American Pharoah became the 12th horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
Wood Memorial winner Frosted finished second, 5-1/2 lengths behind American Pharoah, while Keen Ice grabbed the show spot.
As he crossed the finish line, jockey Victor Espinoza pumped his fist and the sold-out crowd of 90,000 at Belmont Park cheered wildly.
Espinoza, who failed twice before to win the Triple Crown by losing the Belmont Stakes, did not have to wait long before knowing it was going to be his day.
“I had the best feeling ever when he crossed the first turn,” Espinoza said. “The way he runs and stretches legs, and the way he hits the ground, it doesn’t feel like you’re going that fast. It feels like he’s in slow motion.”
The victory secured American Pharoah trainer Bob Baffert’s first Triple Crown after the Hall of Famer was denied three previous times at the Belmont Stakes, with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2002.
“Down the backside he was in a groove,” said Baffert. “He’s a great horse, I knew he was going to do it. I just feel like I have a very special horse, he’s the one that won. It wasn’t me.”
American Pharoah, the muscular son of 2009 Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneer of the Nile, now has seven victories in eight career starts. He paid $3.50, $2.80 and $2.50 for a $2 ticket.
The winning time of 2:26.65 for a mile-and-a-half over a fast track was well off the record of 2:24 set in 1973 by Triple Crown winner Secretariat.
American Pharoah held a two-length lead over Frosted at the top of the stretch before widening it out and winning easily.
Prior to American Pharoah’s victory on Saturday, 13 horses since Affirmed’s Triple Crown had triumphed in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but failed to win the Belmont.
American Pharoah won the May 2 Derby by a length and two weeks later claimed the Preakness Stakes by a jaw-dropping seven lengths in a driving rainstorm.