American Pharoah made history by winning the Belmont Stakes on Saturday to become the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown, doing so in a time of 2:26:65.
American Pharoah, who is trained by Bob Baffert, is also the first horse to win the decorated honor since Affirmed in 1978, ending a 37-year drought.
“I tell you, in the first turn (I knew were going to win),” jockey Victor Espinoza said in his post-race interview. “He broke a step slow because he sat back when they opened the gate. But in two jumps I was right in the lead. He was steady all the way around. I tell you, I had the best feeling ever when he crossed the first turn.”
This was Baffert’s first Triple Crown in four tries, which was more than any other trainer.
