The American Pharoah Triple Crown Experience

As they approached the far turn I screamed, “Not yet!“, urging Victor to be as patient as possible. Many jockey’s ask their horses too soon at Belmont Park. Luckily for everyone Victor was able to hear me and listened as he didn’t ask American Pharoah until the stretch. As they made the turn people were already going crazy and jumping up and down. I lost sight of the horses. I had no idea what was going on. The next time I saw them was at the 1/8 pole and what I was seeing was simply amazing. American Pharoah not only had the lead, but he made a devastating move that absolutely put away Frosted. I was able to follow the horses to the 1/16 pole before the place absolutely exploded into a roar that I have never encountered in my life. I didn’t need to watch anymore. American Pharoah had done it! 37 years of history and disappointment had just went up in flames!

As the crowd went into what I can only describe as the most crazed frenzy you could ever imagine, I quickly tried find Jared to celebrate the win. Even though we were standing by each other, when something this unbelievable happens you completely lose yourself. Once I found him we embraced and the first thing I remember anyone saying directly after the win came from Jared. It was so fitting. “HE JUST WON THE F***ING TRIPLE CROWN!!!!” Wow, the journey from the Rebel at Oaklawn Park to Triple Crown winner was over. He had done it! Holy s**t. That just happened! The delirious state lasted a couple of minutes before Victor began to parade the horse for everyone to see. Then the replays began. I’m not an emotional person, but when Victor paraded the champion by us for the first time tears filled my eyes. Later during the race replay they did again. Jared, sunglasses still on, wiping away tears as well. Then the text messages started coming through our phones. There had to be close to 100 between the two of our phones. “What was it like to witness history in person?” “You called it congrats!!!!” “Pandemonium! SO AWESOME!“. More tears. I didn’t know what to do or how to act. None of us under the age of 37 did! We had never seen anything like this before.

Winning the Triple Crown is one of the most amazing things you can ever do. However, when you win it like American Pharoah did you put yourself into a whole other level. The Andy Serling’s, Andy Beyer’s and Mike Watchmaker’s of the World that have doubted and dogged this horse from the start have nothing left to say. American Pharoah proved them all wrong. He didn’t just hold on grimly or defeat a terrible field. He ran a legit time (2nd fastest by a Triple Crown winner) and beat a legit horse (Frosted could have been a Belmont winner in many other years). There is no way you can knock him now. He left no doubt!

Even though we knew American Pharoah was better than his seven other challengers we all were still very nervous. History was not on his side. As the race kept getting closer I think we all began to mentally prepare ourselves for disappointment. It had been 37 years, how could you not have doubt creep into your mind? Once he crossed that finish line the weight of the world had been lifted off the shoulders of horse racing fans everywhere. American Pharoah had lifted the 1,000 pound gorilla off all our backs. American Pharoah is not Secretariat, but he can serve as this generation’s Secretariat. He is the superstar we needed and he came through on the biggest stage of his life. We have essentially entered into a new chapter of horse racing. I believe we will live to see other Triple Crown winners, but this new generation of horse fans may never live to see a better horse than American Pharoah.