Video: After 37 years, a new Triple Crown winner

By J.E. Dyer
Video: After 37 years, a new Triple Crown winner
Jockey Victor Espinoza exults as he and American Pharaoh bring it home in the Belmont Stakes, 6 June 2015. (Image: NYT, Chang W. Lee)

American Pharaoh stepped into the record books today, defying “science” to win a Triple Crown, the first time any horse has done it since Affirmed in 1978.

In a small field of only eight horses in today’s Belmont Stakes, American Pharaoh broke fast from the gate, claiming the lead immediately and holding onto it throughout the race.  He stretched his lead to five and half lengths after the final turn, finishing the mile and a half in 2:26.65.

For those keeping track, that means Secretariat’s 1973 record of 2:24 still stands.  Only a few other horses have had faster times than American Pharaoh’s in the Belmont, the longest of the Triple Crown races.  They included A.P. Indy in 1992, with a time of 2:26.13, and Easy Goer in 1989 with 2:26.

For Jockey Victor Espinoza, 43, it was obviously his first Triple Crown win.  Congratulations to him and owner Ahmed Zayat.

Enjoy some history-making horse action, LU Nation.

 

J.E. Dyer

J.E. Dyer

J.E. Dyer is a retired Naval Intelligence officer who lives in Southern California, blogging as The Optimistic Conservative for domestic tranquility and world peace. Her articles have appeared at Hot Air, Commentary’s Contentions, Patheos, The Daily Caller, The Jewish Press, and The Weekly Standard.


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