On June 6th, the world will watch with anticipation as American Pharoah seeks to win the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park and become the first horse to sweep the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Only eleven horses in history have achieved the elusive feat of winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Following American Pharoah’s victories in the first two legs of the series, the excitement is building as he prepares for the Belmont Stakes, also known as the “Test of Champions.” In advance of his quest for history, here’s everything you need to know about American Pharoah.
American Pharoah’s second major triumph came in the grade I FrontRunner Stakes, his first run in a non-sprint race. Once again, the colt went straight to the lead and was never challenged throughout, winning by just over three lengths while never being seriously urged to run. Texas Red, the third-place finisher that day, would go on to win the prestigious grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 6 1/2 lengths, providing a hint that American Pharoah had the potential to be a very special racehorse. By winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, American Pharoah has become the first champion two-year-old since 1979 to come back the next year and sweep the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Remarkably, since official championships were established in 1936, only seven champion two-year-olds aside from American Pharoah have gone on to win the Derby and Preakness, and six of them were successful in sweeping the Triple Crown.
The Belmont Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC Sports starting at 4:30 pm EDT on June 6th. Be sure to tune in and watch as American Pharoah tries to make history!
Liked this article? Here’s more on Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown: A Look Back at Triple Crown Contenders Video: Chromie is My Homie
J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, blogger, videographer, and racing enthusiast who considers Zenyatta to be his all-time favorite racehorse. He is the founder of the horse racing website TheTurfBoard.com and writes for the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners.
J. Keeler Johnson is a freelance writer, blogger, videographer, and racing enthusiast who considers Zenyatta to be his all-time favorite racehorse. He lives in Wisconsin and is the founder of the horse racing website www.TheTurfBoard.com.
great info
He did it!
Thanks to a rail down by overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) on the 13-year-old German…
In a day of heat, then rain, followed by blazing sun, the sun indeed shone…
Tom McEwen of Great Britain had a big day under beautiful skies at the Kentucky…
Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L. Currently in first…
Thanks to a rail down by overnight leader Tom McEwen (GBR) on the 13-year-old German Warmblood gelding JL Dublin, a…
In a day of heat, then rain, followed by blazing sun, the sun indeed shone brightest on the British riders…
Tom McEwen of Great Britain had a big day under beautiful skies at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.,…
Dressage is halfway complete at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day event CCI5*-L. Currently in first is Yasmin Ingham of Great…
Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…
Read the full article about showing in hand in Horse Illustrated’s June 2024 issue! Here is some great content we…