On an idyllic Saturday evening at Belmont Park, American Pharoah made it worth the 37-year wait.

Under a perfectly calculated ride by Victor Espinoza, the son of Pioneerof the Nile led the field from start to finish in the Grade 1 $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, drawing away in the stretch to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 and end a drought that had seen the hopes of 13 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners end in disappointment.

The milestone victory in the 147th “Test of the Champion” in a time of 2:26.65 was sweet redemption for the colt’s connections, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and Espinoza, as the pair had accumulated five failed Triple Crown bids between them.

“It’s very emotional,” said Baffert, who trains American Pharoah for Zayat Stables. “What a feeling. It’s probably going to take a few days to sink in

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