Belmont Stakes 2015 Results: American Pharoah Wins First Triple Crown Since 1978

The Belmont Stakes results are in, and American Pharoah has done what no other horse in the last 38 years has been able to.

The front-runner for the Belmont Stakes led start to finish, winning the first Triple Crown since 1978.

American Pharoah led for most of the race, holding off contenders through the final turn. The leading contender going into the race then built a lead in the last stretch, winning by five-and-a-half lengths.

Frosted took second, while Keenice finished third and Mubtaahij took fourth.

Going into the race, all eyes were on American Pharoah as it tried to become the first horse in nearly 40 years to complete the elusive Triple Crown. After winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, there were high hopes for American Pharoah.

“(Saturday) might be a day we will all remember,” American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat said Friday after the morning workout. “Thirty-seven years of a drought in this industry. Eleven horses only have won the Triple Crown. We’re hopeful we’re looking at the 12th.”

The race was similar to last year, when California Chrome came in as a potential Triple Crown winner after taking the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but was stopped in the Belmont Stakes.

There have been 11 Triple Crown winners, the most recent Affirmed in 1978.

But while American Pharoah got most of the attention, there were others seen as contenders, like NJ.com writer Steve Politi who made a strong case for longshot Keen Ice.

“Why bet on a horse with just one victory in eight starts? Belmont is where long shots cross the finish first far more often than Triple Crown contenders do, and this horse, named for a curling team, has the pedigree for the long track despite his 20-to-1 odds.”

The potential Triple Crown attracted even more attention to the 2015 Belmont Stakes results, especially among more casual horse racing fans.

“The remarkable thing is that the public responds to it each time,” said Ed Bowen, an author, historian and president of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. “The hold of the Triple Crown on the public mind seems to be able to survive years and countless disappointments.”

The full results for the 2015 Belmont Stakes can be found here. It is expected to be updated within 10 minutes of the race’s conclusion.

[Image via Getty Images]