By Patrick R. Anderson
The robust 3-year-old bay colt "American Pharoah" has galloped into immortality.
He won the 147th Belmont Stakes at sweeping Belmont Park on Saturday, to become the first American Triple Crown winner in 37 years since "Affirmed" in 1978. Since "Affirmed," Americans have elected five Presidents, fought three wars and have had three lengthy disruptions to its economic performance, culminating with what was likened to the great depression in 2008.
But "American Pharoah" was to delight his legion of fans on Saturday, especially the packed house of more than 150,000 at Belmont Park in New York, most reduced to tears in celebration when winning jockey, the 43-year-old Victor Espinosa, paraded the colt the length of the Belmont Park Grandstand after his historic performance.
"American Pharoah" stepped out of the starting gate a tad slowly, but quickly took the front as he did in the slop at Pimlico three weeks ago. And that was that. He bounded along mercilessly on an uncontested lead in the 1 1/2 mile event, and when "Materiality" took a run at him at the half time, he shook him off. "Mubtaahij" went after him leaving the half mile, only to stutter. And the late running "Frosted" came at him on the home turn, but only got within three lengths of "The Pharoah."
The happy colt set down for the long 2 1/4 furlong home straight under strong urging from Espinosa to draw right away from the floundering field to win going away by 5 1/2 lengths in a time of 2 mins 26.3 for 1 1/2 miles.
He become the 12th Triple Crown winner in U.S. history, and was the 12th horse to come to Belmont Park with a shot to win the Triple in the past 37 years. His Hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert came to Belmont with three of those twelve chances, only to see "Silver Charm" reeled in by "Touch Gold" in 1997; "Real Quiet" lost by a half nostril in a heart-breaking photofinish to "Victory Gallop" in 1998; and back in 2002 under Victor Espinosa, "War Emblem" lost in his bid.
Last year, Espinosa lost the Triple Crown bid astride "California Chrome."
History will judge whether "American Pharoah" can stand alonsgide the greats 'Sir Barton," "Assault," 'War Admiral," "Whirlaway," "Count Fleet," and "Citation."
He will be rested for a while, before seeking other races this summer and fall. American Pharoah will retire to stud at the end of this season at Coolmore Farms, the colt's new owners, after he was sold by his owner Ahmed Zayat in May in a deal. He has been syndicated for between US$36 to US$48 million, and will cover mares for fees of between US75,000 and US$100,000.
American Pharoah, after his fighting victory in the Kentucky Derby and his flashy performance on a wet track in the Preakness Stakes, is now immortal after winning the Belmont Stakes.
He is a Triple Crown winner, rarified air in American thoroughbred racing.
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