I'm totally buying the Christmas ornament. Because you know there will be a Christmas ornament.

I'll probably be right behind you with the Christmas ornament we can go together with my Yankee and Packer ornaments and the ones I have of Secretariat and War Admiral :)

I just have to post the last few paragraphs from the NYPost article I linked to earlier in the thread. I've reread it 5 times already today. So gorgeous:

Just got back from a quick trip .... that was amazing. Besides the obvious of being there on such a historical day, wanted to share a few things.

• Thanks to those who offered advice on navigating the day - followed all of it and had a great experience.
  
• First time at Belmont and I could not have been more impressed. I don't have as much experience as many on this board but I've been to my share of tracks over the last 15 years. Yesterday was one of the most enjoyable that I've ever had.
  
• Every employee at that place, from the security guards to the tellers, to the "Ask Me" guides, to the bartenders ... to a person, they were so polite and helpful - to the point where I'm compelled to write about it. It was that remarkable.
  
• I thought the place was spotless. We were in clubhouse general admission and it was quite nice. Not too crowded. Never waited longer than 30 seconds to place a wager (self service) the entire day.
  
• I don't follow the Belmont broadcast that closely, but I know of Andy Serling primarily through Steve's show. I enjoyed watching Andy and the co-host on the monitors between races - he was so fired up yesterday. The energy was contagious. Thought it was great.
  
• I thought the crowd was great - didn't see anything obnoxious or rude or crude. Just good folks that you would want to hang out with for a day.
  
• We took a cab in to the track in the morning and took the LIRR back to hotel. We stayed until after the last race and waited ZERO minutes to get on the Jamaica/Penn Station train. It was seamless.
  
• And many other things. Honestly, the only negative yesterday was that I left Tommy Macho out of the second leg of the Pick 5. Need to go back and see what I missed.

Anyway, thanks NYRA. Thanks Belmont. Thanks New York. Thanks Pharoah.

That was one great day ... can't wait to return.

Good for you to have the lasting memory. Sounds like the NYRA and the locals put on their Sunday best. And why not expecting and getting what they were hoping for at last. :D

NYRA nailed it. From the extra 2 races to the concert afterwards they managed the mass exoudus flawlessly. I Guess the Chief Expierence Officer they hired 2 weeks before last years Triple crown try given proper time was well worth it.

I transcribed the call by Larry Collmus for my wife so she could know what he said. I'll share it because just reading it again gives me goosebumps.

-------------

They are all in line and we're ready for the start.

They are off in the Belmont Stakes!

Not a great start for American Pharoah but he will be sent to the lead by Victor Espinoza, so he waits no longer, right to the front for American Pharoah in the race to the first turn. But he did not come out of the gate all that well.

Frosted is away running in second position, Materiality is third to the outside. A ground saving run for Mubtaahij who is right behind American Pharoah into that first turn, then Madeforlucky, Keen Ice, Tale of Verve, and the trailer is Frammento.

The opening quarter mile was 24 seconds flat. A sensible fraction for American Pharoah who leads the way on that sweeping first turn here at Belmont Park. And Materiality is kept close by John Velazquez running in second position. Mubtaahij, Frosted and Keen Ice are right there. Keen Ice is not far behind at all, he's two lengths off the lead. Then it's Madefromlucky, it's four lengths back to Tale of Verve then Frammento. A 48 and 4 half mile.

So it continues to be a moderate tempo up the backstretch here. And it is American Pharoah who leads the way by 3/4 of a length. And Materiality keeps the pressure on in 2nd. Mubtaahij is 3rd on the inside and then comes Keen Ice in 4th, Frosted is 5th. Madefromlucky ridden along to keep up with the field, he's 6th and 4 and 1/2 lengths off American Pharoah. Frammento and Tale of Verve are at the back of the pack.

So American Pharoah is halfway home in the Belmont. Three quarters went in 1:13 and 2/5th seconds. And he begins his run into the far turn. 3/4 of a length ahead of Materiality in second, and then it's Keen Ice on the outside of Mubtaahij, Frosted in traffic behind them. And then Madefromlucky on the outside.

Around the far turn and American Pharoah continues to lead the way. He's on top by 3/4 of a length. Mubtaahij is off the rail and now he is a length behind in second.

And American Pharoah kicks away. American Pharoah has opened up a 2 length lead as they come to the top of the stretch.

And Frosted has moved up into second. And they are into the stretch.

AND AMERICAN PHAROAH MAKES HIS RUN FOR GLORY AS THEY COME INTO THE FINAL FURLONG.

FROSTED IS SECOND WITH 1/8TH OF A MILE TO GO.

AMERICAN PHAROAH'S GOT A TWO LENGTH LEAD. FROSTED IS ALL OUT AT THE 16TH POLE.

AND HERE IT IS! THE 37 YEAR WAIT IS OVER!

AMERICAN PHAROAH, IS FINALLY THE ONE!!!!

AMERICAN PHAROAH HAS WON, THE TRIPLE CROWN!!!!!!

*ROAR OF THE CROWD*

Not wanting to take anything away from Collmus or the spectacle but man I wish Durkin had waited one more year to retire!!!

Collmus is as boring as they come. 37 years and thats all he could come up with? I have no clue why he gets the top gigs. Durkin was a master at his craft and he would have given a more memorable call.

Collmus reads the manual. Durkin tells the story

I need not ask why you did this for your wife but I salute you for it without explanation. Thanks

!!!
 

Yah, yah, yah . . . it's not about the call . . . it's about the horse. Perspective?!? Point of reference?!? Hello . . . MacFly!!!

This is just how things have become over here. Most callers just tell it how it is, they call what they see. The best of the best aren't callers, rather commentators that describe the action to tell a story. Unfortunately, other than Durkin very few North American callers learn how to announce this way. That's just my perspective, as I've heavily followed international racing and much prefer that style. The problem with saying he shouldn't get the top gigs is who here would be better? He used to be one of my favourite callers over here, although I've been critical of him recently, but his Belmont call still sent gave me chills.

Back to the topic, congrats to the champ. What a moment for the sport. Can't take anything away from AP and have to give him credit---I know I'm going to be absolutely berated for this---but the difference between him and others that have tried and failed is that he was able to work out three perfect trips. To be honest, with the way he struggled to the line in the Derby I'm not sure he would have even won that prior to the points system. Take nothing away, but that's the reality. However, at the end of the day he won all three and did humongous things for the sport on this continent. :tro::tro::tro:

I'll still bet against him next time though...

I'm not going to berate you, but you are wrong.

Firstly, he's a great horse with great speed. Great speed horses have a huge advantage over others because they can make their own trip, and are much more adept at avoiding trouble.

As to the point of the other horses not getting perfect trips, off the top of my head, I would say, real quiet, silver charm, Sunday silence and funny cide. Ill agree on war emblem, chrome and charismatic, ill have another too.

I'm not sure what the point system has to do with him winning the derby, but yeah, it was his weakest showing.

The current points system favors 3yo form in the 1 1/8 mile preps.
In the "unrestricted earnings eligibility system" Trinniberg was eligible from his earnings in sprint stakes. (I don't know what horse this year was denied eligibility that would have quickened the pace.)
When you break down the previous derbys Spanish Chestnut and Going Wild in the 2005 derby may not have been eligible under the points system. This is the prime example of a pace meltdown that may have not taken place under the new system.

Post it here when you get the ornament link. I will also get one. :)

I don't think I've been that emotional since I heard "He's moving like a tremendous machine". When Seattle Slew won it was kind of ho hum. When Affirmed won, it was exciting because of Alydar, but not take your breath away. AP's win was so great and exciting. IMHO the Derby he shouldn't have won, but he did. The Preakness was his race. The Belmont, to run in 226 in change was amazing. It'll be a moment to be cherished for quite some time.

Oh, I understand what you mean now. Thanks.

Was the most joyous and satisfying sporting event I've witnessed and that includes the '85 World Series 7th game in Kansas City, 1980 PGA Championship (Nicklaus) at Oak Hill, Habs 1993 Stanley Cup clincher at the Forum, the '88 NCAA basketball final at Kemper Arena, and more.

Being in attendance for all 3 races an added pleasure..

Creating recorded annals of it all for posterity with the principals on ATR a privilege and honor.

I'll probably be right behind you with the Christmas ornament we can go together with my Yankee and Packer ornaments and the ones I have of Secretariat and War Admiral :)

I started collecting the Triple Crown series, but Breyer quit making them halfway through. Guess not that much demand for an Omaha ornament. :D