Before I get started on this very special blog post, I would personally like to thank ESPN NY radio hosts Alan Hahn and Rick DiPietro for giving me the chance to go the Belmont Stakes. With that in mind, can anyone believe that history was made yesterday at the Belmont? We had our first Triple Crown winner in 37 years! Not only that, I got to see live and what an experience! 90,000 people there to witness history.
Believe it or not, people may not consider horse racing a sport, but a lot people consider it a sporting event. Obtaining a the horse racing Triple Crown is a very difficult challenge. American Pharoah was the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown. When I mentioned to a good friend of mine that I was going to the Belmont Stakes, he asked me a very interesting question. What is harder to obtain: Triple Crown in baseball or horse racing? Personally, the horse racing Triple Crown is a more prestige title. I believe the horse racing Triple Crown is harder to obtain.
As my father and I pulled in on the LIRR to Belmont Park, I could not believe that I could be seeing history. I've never been to a playoff game, but this was like the Super Bowl of horse racing. The amount of people at Belmont Park was tremendous. At race time, there were a recorded 90,000 people in attendance. Jockey Victor Espinoza had come close to winning 2 other Triple Crowns, 2002 with War Emblem and 2014 with California Chrome. Third time would end up being a charm for him. He will certainly go down in horse racing history for winning 3 Kentucky Derbys, Preakness', and the Belmont Stakes that counted the most!
It also depends on the trainer, and most importantly the horse themselves. In this case, the horse is who mattered the most. American Pharoah was not considered a favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but going in the Belmont Stakes he showed much better poise. He would end up winning by 5 1/2 lengths, the 4th largest margin in Belmont history. The view my father and I had was unbelievable. Coming down the stretch, we could tell that he was not going relinquish the lead. When he crossed that finish line, myself included, the whole place went crazy. Now I know what it was like during Game 7 of 2003 ALCS, or Super Bowl 42 against the Patriots.
Being part of history was such a thrill ride. The build up of excitement to the big race was tremendous. While walking around the park, I kept thinking to myself "I could see history." History was made, history was seen live, and it could not have been better. A lot of great memories happen in New York, or with New York sports team. This was no exception. Experiencing this event is something I will never forget. Thank you American Pharoah, ESPN NY radio, and Hahn and Humpty for giving me such a great experience!
