American Pharoah captures 1st Triple Crown in 37 years with Belmont triumph

Elmont, N.Y. is celebrating the presence of horse-racing royalty for the first time in 37 years.

American Pharoah overcame a rested field and unlikely odds to make history Saturday, capturing racing's 12th Triple Crown with a dominating wire-to-wire victory at the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes.

The three-year-old colt covered the exhausting 1 1/2-mile track in 2:26:65, crossing the line 5 1/2 lengths ahead of Frosted (5-1) and third-place finisher Keen Ice to sweep horse racing's three marquee events.

Related: Reading List: The wait is over - American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown

Though American Pharoah entered the race as the overwhelming 3-5 favorite, no horse had won all three races since Affirmed in 1978. American Pharoah was also the only horse among his seven competitors to race in the Belmont, Preakness, and Kentucky Derby.

$2.00 Exacta: 5-6 ($13.60)
$1.00 Trifecta: 5-6-7 ($54.75)
$1.00 Superfecta: 5-6-7-1 ($285.00)

Trainer Bob Baffert, meanwhile, secured his first Triple Crown triumph on his racing-record fourth attempt.

"Very emotional," Baffert said after American Pharoah became only the second Belmont winner to lead wire-to-wire in 30 years. "I wish my parents were alive to see this."

Before Saturday's triumphant win, 13 horses since 1978 had entered the Belmont Stakes in position to capture the Triple Crown. Baffert was involved in three of those bids (Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, and War Emblem in 2002), while jockey Victor Espinoza had a chance to end the Triple Crown drought with California Chrome last year.

Espinoza, 43, became the oldest jockey and first Hispanic to win the Triple Crown.

"Wow, wow! I can only tell you it is just an amazing thing," Espinoza said. "Just unbelievable how things work out. I feel so good. I say, 'I hope American Pharoah feels like me.'"

Despite running against five rivals who hadn't raced since the Derby, American Pharoah looked no worse for wear en route to his seventh straight win, leading front to back and never relenting at the Elmont racetrack.

Saturday's historic win was five weeks in the making, beginning with a one-length victory at the Derby on May 2 followed by a dominating seven-length win two weeks later in muddied conditions at the Preakness. His run at horse-racing immortality looked to be in jeopardy when Mubtaahij made a late run at the lead just before the final turn, only to fall behind the pack as American Pharoah charged ahead with a brilliant sprint down the stretch.

"I can't believe it happened," said Justin Zayat, the son and manager of Zayat Stables. "It's amazing. Oh my God."

American Pharoah is now one of 12 horses to pull off the rare sweep, joining Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), and Affirmed.

Here are the final results, including Saturday's morning line: