NEW YORK (AP) — American Pharoah will try to win the Triple Crown on Saturday, when he takes on seven rivals in the Belmont Stakes. Here’s what’s going on and around the track in the hours leading up to the race, scheduled to start at 6:50 p.m. EDT:
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12:08 p.m.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has canceled an appearance at the Belmont Stakes because he now has a scheduled news conference later in the day at an upstate prison. Authorities said two convicted murders escaped from the maximum security Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York.
Cuomo was scheduled to be in the winner’s circle at Belmont Park to present the Belmont trophy. The trophy will be presented by Michael Del Giudice, the acting chairman of the New York Racing Association board of directors.
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11:58 a.m.
A look at some updated odds shows Triple Crown hopeful as the 1-2 favorite in an eight horse field for the Belmont Stakes.
Here’s the rest of the early odds: Frosted 5-1; Materiality 7-1; Madeforlucky 15-1; Mubtaahij 16-1; Keen Ice 17-1; Tale of Verve 20-1; Frammento 20-1.
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11:53 a.m.
The first race is in the books at Belmont Park, and 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.
Japan is trained by Bill Mott and was ridden by Junior Alvarado. Todd Pletcher trains Stanford and Nonna’s Boy.
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11:25 a.m.
The quest for a Triple Crown is upon us — again.
It’s Belmont Stakes Day, Saturday, June 6 at Belmont Park, and already thousands of fans have made their way into the spacious racetrack to see a slice of racing history when American Pharoah attempts to become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
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.
Post time for the first race is 11:35 a.m. Post time for the Belmont is 6:50 p.m.
The Belmont is a sellout at 90,000. For the first time, a cap was put on attendance by New York Racing Association officials.
Last year, Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome finished fourth in his Triple try before a crowd of 102,199.
This will be the 13th attempt at a Triple Crown since Affirmed became the 11th horse to sweep the Derby, Preakness and Belmont in 1978.
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