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In Their Own Words: Michael Del Giudice recounts his experiences at the Belmont Stakes

by Tom Pedulla

The New York Racing Association is presenting a series of diaries to help celebrate the 150th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9 at Belmont Park. "In Their Own Words" features prominent owners, trainers, jockeys and horsemen as they re-live some of the most stirring moments in the rich history of the "Test of the Champion."

The series opened with trainer Todd Pletcher reflecting on history-making filly Rags to Riches (2007), followed by Cot Campbell describing Palace Malice's 2013 triumph as the "mother of great moments" for him.

Ogden Phipps II told of how much Easy Goer's romp meant to his famous racing family when they denied Sunday Silence's Triple Crown bid in 1989.

Marylou Whitney, celebrated as the "Queen of Saratoga" and one of the most prominent women in racing history, re-lived Birdstone's upset of Triple Crown threat Smarty Jones in 2004. Steve Cauthen wrote of the thrill of being 18 years old and riding Affirmed past Alydar three times for the Triple Crown in 1978 in one of the great rivalries in all of sports and Julie Krone recounted her barrier-breaking 1993 win aboard Colonial Affair.

Friday featured Ahmed Zayat, who recounted the 2015 romp that allowed the great American Pharoah to end the longest drought in Triple Crown history.

This week, Michael Del Giudice, the Chairman of the NYRA Board, recounts his memories of the Belmont Stakes.

Still to come:

Ron Turcotte reflects on one of the great athletic feats of all time, human or equine, when Secretariat moved "like a tremendous machine" in 1973.

Here is the eighth installment:

By Michael Del Giudice With Tom Pedulla

My first experience watching the Belmont Stakes came in 1978, when I saw Affirmed outduel his arch-rival, Alydar, to join Secretariat (1973) and Seattle Slew (1977) as Triple Crown winners during that decade.

I never imagined that 13 horses after that would sweep the first two legs only to come up empty in the contest that the New York Racing Association is proud to hold up as the "Test of the Champion."

But that was the case when I arrived at Belmont Park to witness American Pharoah's attempt in 2015 as chairman of NYRA's Board of Directors.

There had been talk during the record 37-year gap between Triple Crown winners that the format was outdated and simply too demanding for today's thoroughbred, one bred for speed more than stamina. I was never a proponent of that. I am a fan of baseball and other major sports in addition to racing. I have always enjoyed being able to compare different eras based on statistics. If the movement to change the format had succeeded, we would have lost that basis for comparison.

I cannot think of a more electrifying day at a NYRA track than that 2015 Belmont. It was an afternoon that offered a little bit of everything, including an appearance from former President Bill Clinton. He was there to cheer on Keen Ice, a top contender owned by Donegal Racing. Jerry Crawford, a key figure in previous Clinton election campaigns and one of the nicest people you would ever meet, heads Donegal Racing.

New York sports crowds can be tough. I remembered being worried about the kind of reception the former president would receive. When he was treated to a warm ovation, I admit I was greatly relieved.

Our fans were in too good a mood to boo anyone. They were there for one reason and one reason alone. They were fascinated by American Pharoah. They wanted to see if he could succeed where others failed.

American Pharoah looked to be the total package. He had shown heart in gutting out a one-length victory against Firing Line in the Kentucky Derby. He had displayed immense talent to go with adaptability in the Preakness, overcoming a pre-race downpour that turned the Pimlico Race Course track to slop. He dominated by seven lengths.

There was a great air of anticipation in the hours before the Belmont. It sounds odd to say that fans can be fascinated by a horse, but American Pharoah had captured their hearts to a greater degree than most professional athletes I know. There is something special about the way our fans relate to their favorite horses. The connection to American Pharoah could not have been stronger.

He possessed acceleration and speed that few horses could match. As I sat in my box with my wife, Jaynne, I was so impressed by how quickly he shot to the lead after breaking from the starting gate a bit slow.

He continued to show the way, seemingly getting stronger with every stride. I never heard our fans so loud. The cheering was deafening. I kept waiting for someone to challenge American Pharoah. No one ever did. That is the way it is with Triple Crown champions. They are men against boys.

Track announcer Larry Collmus provided a race call for the ages.

"And they're into the stretch and American Pharoah makes his run for glory as they come into the final furlong. Frosted is second. With an eighth of a mile to go, American Pharoah's got a two-length lead. Frosted is all out at the sixteenth pole. And here it is. The 37-year wait is over! American Pharoah is finally the one! American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown!"

The final margin of 5 ½ lengths against Frosted marked the fourth-largest for a Triple Crown winner. The time of 2:26.65 was the sixth fastest.

I hurried to the winner's circle to present the trophy to Ahmed Zayat and his family, owners of America's latest superstar. They were so thrilled, they could not stop jumping.

As for me, it was an unforgettable day at Belmont Park.

To view the video of American Pharoah winning the 2015 Belmont Stakes and becoming just the 12th Triple Crown winner, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyDcXtVb8_U