American Pharoah Looking Fresh Ahead Of Triple Crown Attempt At Belmont Stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- With the possibility of a Triple Crown win hanging in the air, Belmont Stakes day has arrived.
An early-morning rain shower at 6 a.m. may prove to be a good omen for American Pharoah. The colt won the Preakness three weeks ago in the slop and seems to thrive in the rain. The showers have ended, and weather reports for later in the day are calling for clear skies and temperatures in the 70s.
On Friday morning, American Pharoah took a final gallop around Belmont Park ahead of his attempt to win the Belmont Stakes and become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
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The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner looked fresh and ready for his morning run but was held to an easy lap around the 1 1/2-mile oval.
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American Pharoah has had a jog and two gallops since arriving in Queens on Tuesday.
The 3-year-colt faces seven rivals Saturday in his bid to become the 12th Triple Crown winner and first since Affirmed in 1978.
While American Pharoah's Triple Crown try isn't until 6:50 p.m., the day's first race went off at 11:35 a.m.
A three-horse field turned in to a three-horse race to the finish, with Japan rallying on the outside for the 1 1/4-length win over Stanford in the $150,000 Easy Goer. Nonna's Boy was third, a quarter-length behind the runner-up.
The race is named for 1989 Belmont Stakes winner Easy Goer, who spoiled Sunday Silence's Triple Crown try.
The day's second race was won by Tommy Macho ($19.20). He is trained by Todd Pletcher, whose horses finished second and third in the three-horse opening race on the program.
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