Roaring fans celebrate Triple Crown

ELMONT, N.Y. — It was a party racing has been waiting 37 years to throw.

Jubilant fans cheered American Pharoah on Saturday as he pulled ahead down the final stretch, jumping and hugging as the bay colt crossed the finish line and rode into history.

“I feel like I was honestly a part of history today,” said New York City resident Zach Witkoff, 22, who last year left Belmont Park dejected after California Chrome’s failed bid at one of sports’ most elusive feats. “I think all the fans felt that way.”

After American Pharoah rounded the curve into the final stretch, the crowd’s roar grew as he approached the finish line and won.

A beaming Penny Chenery, owner of 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat, said: “I’m thrilled.”

To American Pharoah’s owner, Ahmed Zayat, she said, “Welcome.”

OWNER ZAYAT GETS BIGGEST PRIZE

The Triple Crown Trophy that went unclaimed for nearly four decades was in the firm grasp of American Pharoah’s owner, Ahmed Zayat.

“This is for the sport,” he proclaimed after his colt won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. “Thirty-seven years! This is for all of you.”

Then he turned and handed off the three-sided trophy created by Cartier to his trainer, Bob Baffert, who gave it to jockey Victor Espinoza.

Zayat owns the 12th horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, and first since Affirmed in 1978.

The 52-year-old entrepreneur from Egypt, who lives in Teaneck, New Jersey, said he has known all along he had a champion in American Pharoah. All that was needed: a clear path to the finish line. He got it in the Belmont. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Zayat said. “We won an unbelievable race in my own state. I have been extremely confident all week. I looked at my wife in the post parade and I told her, ‘Get ready to be the owner of the 12th Triple Crown winner.’ He looked unbelievable: focused, relaxed, full of energy.”

Zayat and his family, who are Orthodox Jews, and friends spent the night before the race in four RVs, then walked to the track. Throughout the Triple Crown chase, he has exuded confidence that his son of Pioneerof the Nile was the best of his generation.

“He (American Pharoah) does everything so easy. ... He moves like a Ferrari,” said Zayat, who sold the breeding rights to his horse after the Preakness to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in a deal that might now be worth $30 million or more. “We all wanted it. We wanted it for the sport. This is about American Pharoah and what does this mean for our beautiful sport.”

What’s next for American Pharoah? Zayat would not give a definitive answer but said: “We need to enjoy our stars and race them as long as we possibly could. He most probably will retire at the end of this year.”

The 3-year-old colt was back in his barn at Belmont Park for the night but was scheduled to fly to Louisville, Kentucky, this morning. When he arrives at the airport, he will receive a police escort back to trainer Bob Baffert’s Barn 33.

HONOR CODE WINS IN MET MILE UPSET

Honor Code was the second-most impressive performer on Belmont Stakes Day, posting a three-length victory in the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap.

The 4-year-old stormed past pacesetter Private Zone for his fifth victory in eight starts.

Honor Code was considered a Triple Crown contender last year until an injury knocked him out of the series.

Honor Code ($16.20) was back on his game for the Met Mile, dropping far back before roaring home.

The time was a quick 1:33.18 with Javier Castellano riding for trainer Shug McGaughey.

“When I pushed the button, he took off and gave me a beautiful stride,” Castellano said.

Tonalist, winner of last year’s Belmont Stakes to deny California Chrome the Triple Crown, was second.