Today, just a few minutes before 7pm, American Pharoah grabbed the lead before the first turn of the Belmont Stakes, maintained that lead through the backstretch, and drew away in the homestretch to win the first Triple Crown since 1978.
(Courtesy of Gary Hershorn)
I, of course, screamed myself hoarse and was hyperventilating so hard I couldn't respond to the millions of texts I started getting right after the win. This was my typical response to everyone:
I'll divulge you in a secret. There are only two horse racing videos that always gets me excited. Uncontrollably excited, even. The first is the 1938 Pimlico Special, a match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral. The second is, of course, the 1973 Belmont Stakes.
Now there are three. The newest is, of course, the 2015 Belmont Stakes, the coronation of the newest elite winner.
I've always watched the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes for as long as I've understood the significance of these three races, and how difficult it is for a horse to win all three.
Imagine. Three races. Three states. Five weeks. Five weeks from the Kentucky Derby to the Belmont Stakes. That's difficult. And after 1978, some said impossible.
I watched War Emblem win the first two legs and then falter in the Belmont. I've watched the same happen to Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, Big Brown, and California Chrome, among many others.
Thirteen horses since 1978 have won the Derby and the Preakness only to fail at the Belmont. American Pharoah was the fourteenth horse to win the first two legs.
He did not fail.
And now we have one more horse to add to the ranks of the elite. The best of the best of American thoroughbred horse racing. 99 years ago, the first Triple Crown winner was foaled. The twelfth was crowned today.
Sir Barton. Gallant Fox. Omaha. War Admiral. Whirlaway. Count Fleet. Assault. Citation. Secretariat. Seattle Slew. Affirmed.
And now American Pharoah.
It is indeed the most glorious crown.
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