American Pharoah Wins Triple Crown at 2015 Belmont Stakes

The first Triple Crown winner since 1978 has finally arrived.

American Pharoah raced to victory in the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, proving capable of handling the daunting 1 ½-mile track at Belmont Park to emerge with horse racing's most prestigious achievement.

Frosted and Keen Ice took place and show.

Jockey Victor Espinoza had won the first two legs of the Triple Crown twice before, including last year aboard California Chrome, only to fall short in the finale in Elmont, New York. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had three prior opportunities for a Triple Crown that petered out in the Belmont Stakes.

One horse has changed all of that and joined an exclusive club that now numbers 12 thanks to American Pharoah's rousing triumph.

FiveThirtyEight's Benjamin Morris alluded to the seemingly long odds American Pharoah faced in the Belmont Stakes despite being the prohibitive favorite:

Baffert had expressed confidence in the work American Pharoah was doing prior to the Belmont Stakes, per Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden:

For someone as experienced as Baffert, it comes as little surprise that his hunch was correct. There had to be plenty of optimism following American Pharoah's dominant seven-length romp at the Preakness Stakes, but the longer track at Belmont Park presented a far different challenge.

The Belmont Stakes is called "The Test of the Champion" for a reason. It rewards an extraordinary blend of physicality and speed; the latter attribute was never in question for American Pharoah, and he had enough functional strength to trek the 12 furlongs to the winner's circle.

Based on how big modern Triple Crown fields are, American Pharoah ought to go down as one of the best of all time to notch the elusive trifecta. Espinoza has bolstered an already legendary resume, while Baffert has added perhaps the only achievement that eluded him throughout his prolific career.

What American Pharoah has accomplished can't be understated. It will take a phenomenal jockey-trainer combination for anyone to emulate his dominance.

The wait between Affirmed and American Pharoah was prolonged, so expecting this epic height of excitement within the next decade seems unrealistic. But the hype will be reborn at next year's Kentucky Derby, where the winner will already be a third of the way closer to the sport's ultimate pinnacle.