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SPORTSSaturday 6 June 2015

Distance, rivals challenge American Pharoah’s Triple try

BETH HARRIS mile (1,600-meter) tracks

AP Racing Writer where most of them ride.

NEW YORK (AP) — All American Pharoah’s

that separates American California-based jockey,

Pharoah from being the Victor Espinoza, has

first U.S. Triple Crown experience in the Belmont,

winner in 37 years is 1 1/2 having lost two other

miles (2,400 meters) and Triple tries, with California

seven rivals determined to Chrome last year and War

make him earn a victory in Emblem in 2002.

the Belmont Stakes. “If he’s happy, it’s all going

Twelve horses before him to be easy,” Espinoza said.

have tried to complete “If he’s not happy, you’re

the sweep of the Kentucky going to force things and

Derby, Preakness Stakes, he’s not ready to do it.”

and Belmont, and failed American Pharoah will be

since 1978. Now it’s the only horse to run in all

American Pharoah’s turn three Triple Crown races

on Saturday. this year. Five of his rivals

The bay colt with the already lost to him in the

unusually short tail Derby, one was beaten

appears to have come by him in the Preakness,

through the Derby and American Pharoah made his second appearance at the Belmont Park Racetrack in Queens Vil- while another is new to

Preakness with energy to lage, N.Y. on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Associated Press the series.

spare, and he’ll need it Madefromlucky, who

in the longest and most horse racing industry in romped to a seven-length sticking closer to American along with Materiality are
the U.S., or becomes just win in the Preakness after Pharoah, whose preferred
grueling race of the three. another miss. a massive downpour running style is at the front, trainer Todd Pletcher’s
“There’s a lot of anxiety,” occurred as the horses although he’s shown he
American Pharoah said Bob Baffert, the only were going to the starting can sit off the early pace two entries, has trained
trainer to lose the Belmont gate. and win. How many of
galloped around the big three times with horses The colt’s grand-sire, the horses press the early and won at Belmont Park.
that won the first two legs. Empire Maker, won the pace will determine who
Belmont oval on Thursday “I don’t even think about 2003 Belmont, spoiling has enough gas left for the How American Pharoah
the history.” Funny Cide’s Triple Crown 1,097-yard (1,003-meter)
before visiting the If there’s rain in the bid. run down the final straight. handles the extra quarter-
forecast, give the edge to This time, the competition “I want him to break
paddock where he will American Pharoah, who seems committed to cleanly and freely,” Baffert mile (400 meters) in the
said, “and have Victor put
be saddled on race day. him in the mode where Belmont will be crucial to
he’s comfortable. I’m sure
He is the heavy 3-5 early they’re all going to be his chances.
pretty close together.”
favorite. Just as horses aren’t used “If American Pharoah can
to running 1 1/2 miles,
He either follows jockeys aren’t used to get a mile and a half on
riding races that long,
Affirmed’s sweep in 1978, either. The Belmont has Saturday, all of our hats
undone some who have
and boosts the struggling moved too soon and will be off to him,” said
burned out their horses.
Others have moved too Jerry Crawford, who owns
late and let the leaders
get away. 20-1 shot Keen Ice. “But
The track’s deep, sandy
surface can prove tiring it’s our job to do what we
to run on, the turns are
sweeping, and the poles can to make the race
used by jockeys to judge
their location are placed honest.”
differently than at the
Kiaran McLaughlin, who

trains 5-1 second choice

Frosted, said: “We hope

people are booing us after

the race. We don’t mind

a Triple Crown winner, just

not this year.”

Luck — either good or

bad — plays a role in the

Belmont, too.

Real Quiet was denied

horse racing immortality in

1998 by a nose, which still

haunts trainer Baffert.

“One-and-a-half miles is

the biggest issue,” he said.

“It’s a test of greatness

and he’ll let us know.”q