American Pharoah ready for Triple Crown attempt at Belmont Stakes

Horse racing fans hope the number 14 turns out to be a charm this year.

American Pharoah will try to become the 14th horse to win Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown when he runs in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday in New York (post time 5:50 p.m. on NBC).

American Pharoah is a 2-5 favorite to beat his seven opponents in the 1 1/2-mile race and become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

“There’s a lot of anxiety,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I don’t even think about the history.”

American Pharoah started his 2015 season with wins in the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. He then captured the Kentucky Derby by one length at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., before rolling by seven lengths on a sloppy track in the Preakness at Pimlico in Baltimore.

American Pharoah will be ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, who Baffert trusts will put his horse in good position.

“I want him to break cleanly and freely,” Baffert said, “and have Victor put him in the mode where he’s comfortable. I’m sure they’re all going to be pretty close together.”

Espinoza has experience trying for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes, having lost bids with California Chrome last year and War Emblem in 2002. Espinoza likes American Pharoah’s No. 5 post position.

“I’m very happy with the draw,” Espinoza said. “I’m feeling lucky this year. Third time’s the charm …

“If he’s happy, it’s all going to be easy. If he’s not happy, you’re going to force things and he’s not ready to do it.”

American Pharoah is the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races this year. Frosted, made the 5-1 second choice for today’s race by oddsmakers, ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby, and 6-1 third choice Materiality was sixth in the first leg of the Triple Crown series.

“I think any time you’re trying to win three consecutive races it’s hard to do under any circumstances,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Maybe those three consecutive races, in five weeks, at three different racetracks, in three different states just to start with, that’s pretty hard. Plus, it’s very difficult competition at different distances. I don’t think it’s any big secret why it’s hard to win.”

Pletcher has Materiality and Madefromlucky entered in the race, which he won last year with Tonalist. That ended California Chrome’s Triple Crown hopes.

Madefromlucky didn’t run in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness, instead winning the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont in his only starts since running fourth behind American Pharoah in the Arkansas Derby.

It doesn’t bother Baffert that Pletcher skipped the first two legs of the Triple Crown with Madefromlucky.

“I don’t really blame them for that,” Baffert said. “I mean, that’s just part of the Triple Crown. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Another concern for American Pharoah and others in the race is the distance. These horses have never been asked to run 1 1/2 miles and likely will never do it again in a race.

“One-and-a-half miles is the biggest issue,” Baffert said. “It’s a test of greatness, and he’ll let us know.”

This story was originally published June 5, 2015 at 12:29 PM.