YAY!!!!!!!

[hondo]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Now I wonder if Breyer Animal Creations will commission a new mold for Pharoah or just reuse the Smarty Jones one.

I check my email today and it been inundated with American Pharoah memorabilia

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by hondo

I check my email today and it been inundated with American Pharoah memorabilia

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

[hondo]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

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

[GenuineRisk]

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:

Here they all were, and here was New York City, 90,000 strong, and the instant American Pharoah crossed the finish line — did you channel Gary Cohen — “It. Has. HAPPENED!” — the scene everywhere at Belmont Park was one you’ll remember for a lifetime:
Strangers slapping hands. Strangers exchanging hugs. Fans on every level of the grandstand exiting their seats, taking to the corridors, running wildly, as if *inspired by what they’d seen, emptying their lungs with glee, with joy, with bliss. Some of them weeping, too.
If somehow the Yankees could win the World Series, the Giants the Super Bowl and the Knicks the NBA championship at the same exact time, in the same exact place — well, that’s what it sounded like. If you were there, you’ll remember that sound forever. You’ll remember what you saw. Forever. History as it happened.
The drought is over. That little horse deserved it. And so did you.

[BigBlue]

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.

[DonGuido]

Originally Posted by BigBlue

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.

[jms62]

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.

[South Beach Luv]

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*

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

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

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

[ghartman02]

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.

[hondo]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

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

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by hondo

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.