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Sports World & Nation

American Pharoah becomes 1st Triple Crown winner in 37 years

By Associated Press
SHARE American Pharoah becomes 1st Triple Crown winner in 37 years
Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown

Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Julio Cortez, AP
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American Pharoah gallops past the grandstand with Victor Espinoza up after crossing the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to w

American Pharoah gallops past the grandstand with Victor Espinoza up after crossing the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Julio Cortez, AP
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American Pharoah, with Victor Espinoza up, rounds the fourth turn at the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. (AP

American Pharoah, with Victor Espinoza up, rounds the fourth turn at the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Frank Franklin II, AP
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While trainer Bob Baffert looks on, Members of the media touch Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 year

While trainer Bob Baffert looks on, Members of the media touch Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Seth Wenig, AP
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Jockey Victor Espinoza pats American Pharoah during a television interview at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah, rode by Espinoza, won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years. (AP

Jockey Victor Espinoza pats American Pharoah during a television interview at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah, rode by Espinoza, won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Seth Wenig, AP
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Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown

Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978.

Bill Kostroun, Associated Press
6 of 12
American Pharoah (5) with Victor Espinoza up parades to the starting gate before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y.

American Pharoah (5) with Victor Espinoza up parades to the starting gate before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y.

Julio Cortez, Associated Press
7 of 12
American Pharoah (5) with Victor Espinoza up leads the pack as he approaches the finish line during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah won to be the first horse to w

American Pharoah (5) with Victor Espinoza up leads the pack as he approaches the finish line during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah won to be the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed did it in 1978.

Julio Cortez, Associated Press
8 of 12
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah rests in his stall after returning to Churchill Downs on Sunday, June 7, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes in New York Saturday to capture Horse Racing's Triple Crown. (AP Photo/David Ste

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah rests in his stall after returning to Churchill Downs on Sunday, June 7, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes in New York Saturday to capture Horse Racing’s Triple Crown. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

David Stephenson, AP
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Television broadcast lights hang from the rafters of the grandstand at Belmont Park as Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah, with exercise rider Jorge Alvarez up, gallops around the track, Friday, June 5, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pha

Television broadcast lights hang from the rafters of the grandstand at Belmont Park as Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah, with exercise rider Jorge Alvarez up, gallops around the track, Friday, June 5, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah will try for a Triple Crown when he runs in Saturday’s 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Julie Jacobson, AP
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Donna Zirbes-Steinmetz, of Lindenhurst, N.Y., wears a race-themed hat before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah will try for a Triple Crown when he runs in Saturday

Donna Zirbes-Steinmetz, of Lindenhurst, N.Y., wears a race-themed hat before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah will try for a Triple Crown when he runs in Saturday’s race.(AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

Jason DeCrow, AP
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Jockey Victor Espinoza is surrounded on the track after guiding American Pharoah to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown

Jockey Victor Espinoza is surrounded on the track after guiding American Pharoah to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Bill Kostroun, AP
12 of 12
Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown
American Pharoah gallops past the grandstand with Victor Espinoza up after crossing the finish line to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to w
American Pharoah, with Victor Espinoza up, rounds the fourth turn at the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. (AP
While trainer Bob Baffert looks on, Members of the media touch Triple Crown winner American Pharoah at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 year
Jockey Victor Espinoza pats American Pharoah during a television interview at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Sunday, June 7, 2015. American Pharoah, rode by Espinoza, won the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years. (AP
Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown
American Pharoah (5) with Victor Espinoza up parades to the starting gate before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y.
American Pharoah (5) with Victor Espinoza up leads the pack as he approaches the finish line during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah won to be the first horse to w
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah rests in his stall after returning to Churchill Downs on Sunday, June 7, 2015, in Louisville, Ky. American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes in New York Saturday to capture Horse Racing's Triple Crown. (AP Photo/David Ste
Television broadcast lights hang from the rafters of the grandstand at Belmont Park as Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah, with exercise rider Jorge Alvarez up, gallops around the track, Friday, June 5, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pha
Donna Zirbes-Steinmetz, of Lindenhurst, N.Y., wears a race-themed hat before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah will try for a Triple Crown when he runs in Saturday
Jockey Victor Espinoza is surrounded on the track after guiding American Pharoah to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown

NEW YORK — At long last, the Triple Crown drought is over.

American Pharoah led all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by 5 ½ lengths on Saturday, becoming the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes — one of the sporting world's rarest feats.

The bay colt with the unusually short tail defeated seven rivals in the grueling 1 1/2-mile race, covering the distance in 2:26.65 to end the longest stretch without a Triple Crown champion in history.

American Pharoah is the 12th horse and first since Affirmed in 1978 to win three races on different tracks at varying distances over a five-week span. He won the Kentucky Derby by one length on May 2 and then romped to a seven-length victory in the rainy Preakness two weeks later.

Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza ended their own frustrating histories in the Triple Crown. Baffert finally won on his record fourth Triple try, having lost in 1997, 1998 (by a nose) and in 2002. Espinoza got it done with his record third shot after failing to win in 2002 and last year on California Chrome.

Frosted finished second and Keen Ice third.

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