One of the longest dry spells in sporting history, and we are not talking about the Chicago Cubs and the World Series, is over as American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. It is the first time in 37 years a horse has earned all three jewels. American Pharoah joins Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed as one of 12 Triple Crown winners in the history of thoroughbred racing.
American Pharaoh and other contenders prepare for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes, taking place on Saturday, June 6, 2015. American Pharaoh is in contention for the Triple Crown. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Affirmed, after beating Alydar in 1978.
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Baltimore Sun reporters were on the scene during Preakness 2015. Here is a selection of the people, sights and sounds they encountered during the day.
This Saturday will be the 140th running of the Preakness Race. Through all those years the second jewel in the Triple Crown has always been a big draw for crowds. Though the styles and fashion have changed through the years, the one constant has been the mystic of thoroughbred horse racing.
The scene in the Preakness Infield may have evolved over the years but it still remains “The People’s Party.”
ALSO SEE: PreaknessPictures.com – Sun photo galleries from past Preakness Days.
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Black-eyed Susans, feathers and horses galore don the hats of Preakness past.
When the Preakness contenders are not on the race track, you can find them horsing around.
The case can be made that there is a lot more riding on California Chrome than a 100-pound jockey and a chance to be mentioned in the same conversation with the greatest thoroughbreds of all time.
The case can be made that when Chrome bursts out of the starting gate at Belmont Park on Saturday, he’ll be carrying the weight of the horse racing world on his chestnut shoulders. – Peter Schmuck, The Baltimore Sun
MORE COVERAGE: Crown for Chrome? | Best of 2014 Preakness
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Ride On Curlin and General a Rod are the only challengers who’ve chased California Chrome through each leg of his quest for the first Triple Crown since 1978. But as he tries to complete the historic feat at Belmont Park, the chestnut colt will face an array of potential threats. Each horse will arrive backed by some narrative explaining why he could be the one to spoil the coronation.
And although rival trainers all say California Chrome is the best horse, they still hold out hope he might falter in New York. They’ve watched too many fast horses lose steam down the stretch of the 1 ½- mile race to think it’s impossible. – Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun
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As another Preakness celebration comes to an end with California Chrome capturing the second jewel in the Triple Crown, The Darkroom takes a look back at some of the best pictures taken by The Baltimore Sun staff.
Baltimore neighborhoods
Baltimore street photographers
Year in review
Freddie Gray: protests, aftermath
24 hours with...
A. Aubrey Bodine
Viewing Baltimore from above