It was history on the racetrack Saturday as more than 90,000 frenzied spectators at New York's Belmont Park willed American Pharoah to the first Triple Crown in 37 years.
The pre-race favorite led the Belmont Stakes from start to finish to become the first horse in almost four decades to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
With the sweep, American Pharoah became only the 12th Triple Crown winner in history and the first since Affirmed in 1978.
American Pharoah's Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert, had failed on three previous Triple Crown attempts, and jockey Victor Espinoza was 0 for 2 in Triple attempts, including last year with California Chrome.
"He's just a great horse.'' Baffert said after the race. "It takes a great horse to do it.''
"I'm thrilled,'' said Penny Chenery, the 93-year-old owner of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat.
To owner Ahmed Zayat, she said, "Welcome.''
The MTA unveiled a new Belmont Park Station earlier this week in the hope of avoiding the transit woes that plagued the Belmont race last year when the event drew 100,000 spectators.
Long Island Rail Road officials said Saturday that there was smooth traveling to and from the grounds.