American Pharoah kicked down the door of thoroughbred racing's most exclusive club with the same power he used to kick his way down the stretch Saturday at Belmont Park and became the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.
He's the 12th horse to pull off a feat that looked as if it might not ever happen again, a 3-year-old pulling off victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont in five weeks.
A long way from the chilling thrill for 90,000 fans on a beautiful day in New York, Oaklawn Park hosted a party to celebrate the winner of the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby who became a glorious member of racing history.
Prepping at Oaklawn and then winning the Triple Crown was something Arkansas' racetrack probably wouldn't have dared to dream, but there it was Saturday , on American Pharoah Day in Arkansas as declared by Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday, the truth.
The path to greatness for American Pharoah started in California but included two stops in Hot Springs before winning the Triple Crown. Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex started in Arkansas before winning two-thirds of the Triple Crown.
American Pharoah was much the best in his seventh consecutive victory and in many ways put thoroughbred racing back on ESPN in a broadcast loop that allowed millions to see the milestone moment before Saturday turned into Sunday.
It was truly a day to be remembered. American Pharoah left no doubt that despite having to pass on last year's Breeders' Cup because of a minor injury, he deserved to be named the 2-year-old champion. This year's honor is a foregone conclusion.
The last time a 2-year-old champion tried for the Triple Crown was 1979, when the 37-year drought began. One of the greatest thoroughbreds, Spectcular Bid, won the first two legs but was run down in Belmont's long stretch by Coastal and Golden Act to finish third. But that was a different era in racing, before speed was the breeding key.
Great 3-year-olds -- Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Affirmed -- also ran as 4-year-olds and Spectacular Bid was undefeated the year after his failed Triple Crown attempt, winning all nine of his outings.
He sired 253 winners, including 47 stakes winners.
Saturday might have been American Pharoah's final race. Owner Ahmed Zayat sold breeding rights to Coolmore Ashford Stud after the Preakness, but Zayat retains control of the horse's racing career until Coolmore takes over Jan. 1, 2016. So there is a chance he could race a few more times.
Saturday, he handled the 1 1/12 mile race like it was a workout, which it was. Materiality, one of two Todd Pletcher-trained entrants, fell in behind American Pharoah almost from the start and tried gallantly to challenge.
Instead, AP did what he always does, seemingly fly down the track. When second-betting choice Frosted moved up to challenge at the head of the stretch there was that momentary thought he might be the one who knocked down the historical marker, but that's all it was, a moment.
Pharoah didn't break cleanly from the gate, but that was the only thing he did wrong. He seemed to get stronger with every stride, running each quarter-mile under 25 seconds, and Frosted was all out to hold on for second, 5 1/2 lengths back.
Joy burst out over Belmont Park before Pharoah crossed the finish line in 2:26.65, the sixth-fastest Belmont ever. In all honesty, it was a bit surprising all the money wasn't bet on him. He went off at 3-5 odds but ran like he was 1-5.
Jockey Victor Espinoza was flawless and trainer Bob Baffert, already a Hall of Famer, never seemed to doubt the horse he asked to train almost two years ago.
So impressive was the victory that American Pharoah might have changed the spelling of pharaoh.
A true champion was crowned Saturday, a Triple Crown champion.
Sports on 06/07/2015