As we look back on the year that was, the importance of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)'s incredible year has had time to sink in. From his stellar spring campaign, to his historic Triple Crown run, his breathtaking GI Haskell Inv., gutsty GI Travers S. and absolutely unbelievable GI Breeders' Cup Classic, American Phoaroah certainly made an impact on sports and the news worldwide. We've asked our readers to write in and explain what American Pharoah's historic run meant to them.
Annise Montplaisir:
It's unlikely that many horse racing fans will ever forget where they were standing the moment American Pharoah captured the Triple Crown, especially fans like me who come from a younger generation and had never previously witnessed a Triple Crown victory.
My mom and I were instructing at a 4-H horse camp in central Minnesota on Belmont S. Day. Because there was no television at the camp, the two of us drove to a Dairy Queen with a TV in a nearby town. The Dairy Queen manager knew little about horse racing, but had heard of American Pharoah and understood the importance of his attempt at history. She handed me the remote and allowed us to take up residence in a booth for half an hour leading up to the race.
Two women eating ice cream at a nearby table asked if we were watching the Belmont and came over to join us. Although they were unfamiliar with the sport of horse racing, they knew of American Pharoah and were excited to watch the race.
Moments before the starting gates sprung open, an entire bus filled with high school track students piled into Dairy Queen. The crowd of people gathered next to us to watch the Belmont grew until there were nearly 30, all huddled around one small TV.
As American Pharoah drew away in the stretch and it became clear who be would be the 12th Triple Crown winner, the entire Dairy Queen erupted in a roar of cheering. Regardless of whether they had any previous knowledge or interest in horse racing, the people surrounding us were laughing and crying, giving high fives and jumping up and down. Complete strangers were hugging me and I hugged them back.
Even if it was only for a few minutes, American Pharoah gave people an opportunity to feel the sport and the raw emotion that racing fans are addicted to. And not just die-hard fans, but those who had never heard the name American Pharoah before they walked into Dairy Queen that day. I'll never forget that moment.
Phil Pappalardo, Edison,NJ:
I started following horse racing in the late sixties, and during the seventies wondered “What was the big deal? Winning a Triple Crown happened every few years, right?” Well, we know that's not the case. Every year, you have a horse you think can do it, but none did until the Pharoah. Along the way, you get to love these animals and marvel at their athleticism, you are crushed when they are injured or worse, and they become a part of your life. American Pharoah showed those who don't follow the sport regularly what they are missing, and made those of us who do smile and love them even more.
Mark Connolly, Schuylerville, NY:
American Pharoah put racing back in the national sports conversation. I was at the Belmont and it was ear-splitting how loud the crowd roared as he rumbled down stretch. I spent the summer in Saratoga and when American Pharoah showed up it made a special place even more spectacular. The real test was how the public would react when he lost to Keen Ice in the Travers. It was amazing, the fans and the public stood by Pharoah and his connections as though he had won, there was no drop off in popularity. If Man o' War and Secretariat could lose at Saratoga, it was ok–maybe even expected–for Pharoah to lose at Saratoga!
American Pharoah put Thoroughbreds front and center in the sports world, both here and abroad. We needed a lift and he gave it to us.
John Chambers, Lansdowne, PA:
I am a long time racing fan and, while I like the publicity the industry received from having a Triple Crown winner, the industry must do more to keep the public and occasional fans coming back. Most race tracks do not do enough advertising or other public outreach to keep horse racing in the sports fans' mind. I had many friends who know I like racing talk to me about the races when Pharoah was trying for the Triple Crown and later the Breeders' Cup. However, few of them chose to attend the races with me at my local tracks here in the Philadelphia area. The tracks need to do more to both on track and off to keep fan interest. Competitive races with good size fields and better race analysis on their in house TV feeds would help beginner or low experienced players. If the people who come enjoy the experience they will come back. Remember one of the advantages racing has over all the other major sports is cost. Most tracks today either do not have an admission charge or have a very low cost to enter. The same applies to parking. Even if you only bet $2 on each race and lose you most likely would spend less than any other sporting event. You could also get lucky and win only one race with a long shot and end up winning money for your day out. Let's hope the tracks get more active in promoting their product and I am sure they and the industry in general will prosper.
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