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American Pharoah becomes first triple crown winner in 37 years
Espinoza guides horse to wire-to-wire victory
0607Belmont
Victor Espinoza reacts after crossing the finish line with American Pharoah (5) to win the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah is the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed won it in 1978. - photo by Bill Kostron
NEW YORK — At long last, the Triple Crown drought is over. American Pharoah led all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by 5 ½ lengths on Saturday, becoming the first horse in 37 years to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes — one of the sporting world’s rarest feats. The bay colt with the unusually short tail defeated seven rivals in the grueling 1 1/2-mile race, covering the distance in 2:26.65 to end the longest stretch without a Triple Crown champion in history.
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