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 The Kentucky-bred colt is riding a six-race winning streak but
American Pharoah trainer Bob Baffert cautioned that the Belmont
Stakes' gruelling distance is always a question mark for a
3-year-old.
"We don't know until it happens," Baffert, seeking to saddle his
first Triple Crown champion in his fourth attempt, said after
Wednesday's draw at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.
"A mile and a half is a very rare race for most of those
3-year-olds, and for me. We just get him ready. And if he's great,
he'll get it done."
Winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont
Stakes is one of the toughest feats in sports, and has not been
accomplished since Affirmed in 1978.
The toughest challenge for American Pharoah, who was installed as
the 3-5 morning line favorite, is expected to come from Frosted, the
Wood Memorial champion who is rated the 5-1 second choice breaking
from the six hole under Joel Rosario.
Florida Derby winner Materiality, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt who
finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby on May 2, will be on the far
outside eighth post and is the third pick in the morning line at
6-1.
A sell-out crowd of 90,000 is expected to turn out at Belmont Park
in hopes of seeing history. Thirteen times since Affirmed swept the
Triple Crown a horse has won the Derby and Preakness but failed to
reach the Belmont winner's circle.
THIRD TIME 'THE CHARM'
American Pharoah jockey Victor Espinoza, who lost a bid for the
Triple Crown aboard War Emblem in 2002 and with California Chrome
last year, said he was very happy with post five.
"I'm here again," he said. "I've come here twice and I'm feeling
lucky this year. The third time is the charm."
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Frosted trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he was satisfied with the
draw but said post positions will not affect the race.
"In a mile-and-a-half race, they will all have plenty of time to
sort it all out," he said.
Also in the $1.5 million race are: Mubtaahij (No. 1 post, 10-1
odds), Tale of Verve (No. 2, 15-1); Madefromlucky (No. 3, 12-1);
Frammento (No. 4, 30-1); and Keen Ice, (No. 7, 20-1).
Keen Ice owner Jerry Crawford said America Pharoah's rivals "owe it
to history" to try to stage an upset.
"If American Pharoah can get a mile and a half on Saturday, all of
our hats will be off to him," he said. "But, it's our job to do what
we can to make the race honest."
(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Mark
Lamport-Stokes)
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