It's not often you get to witness history...not the kind that strangers will know about and that people will talk about at least for the next year. The kind of history that I was able to witness this week will only remain as special as the scarcity of the circumstance. The Triple Crown. 37 year drought. Before that there were 3 in 5 years. Before that it was 25 years. That is a big part of why Secretariat is spoken about so much more often than Seattle Slew or Affirmed. The dominating fashion with which Secretariat won the three legs helped to cement the history but the scarcity of the situation, the 25 year gap between horses and jockeys and trainers coming together with the combination of right place, right time, right breeding, right conditions, etc helped to make sure that when people born in the last 60 years talk about the Triple Crown or horse racing in general they talk about Secretariat. 

Fast forward to Elmont NY on June 6 2015. The stars were in alignment. American Pharoah entered the race favored but there was still an air of "we've all been here before" This was the 12th attempt in 37 years with 4 or those coming after 2000. I had a few discussions with experienced photographers that had been around this for years and the consensus was "not this year". The mile and a half track at Belmont is the longest of the Triple Crown contests and is a true test of greatness for animals designed to move faster than any other over distance. The mile and a half track has been where 11 previous attempts at history had gone to die. This was the 12th attempt at history and if completed would be the 12th Triple Crown in horse racing history. 

Unlike so many before American Pharoah got a great start from a great gate position and never looked back taking the lead on the opening stretch and opening distance on the back until alone he rode into the history books.... A selfish part of me hopes it another 37 years. I guess we'll see next year.

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

Victor Espinoza rides American Pharoah (number 5 ) away from the starting gate. Captured with Nikon D4s and the 300/f4 PF lens the backlight that photographers dread at Belmont is in full effect. The dynamic range of the D4s and the sharpness of the 300 allowed me to rescue something usable here. 

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

Probably my favorite image from the race and one of the best sports images i've captured shows American Pharoah breaking from the pack. I dropped the D4S to my side and quickly picked up the D810 with the 20 1.8. I had prefocused and pre exposed on this spot hoping for something like this before the race started but I'd be lying if I told you I thought this is what I'd get. The horse and the sky and the clouds and the camera all came together to help me create something that I'm proud of. the D810 raw file gave me the latitude to pull the shadows and get some detail in the horses while the 20 performed perfectly in giving me no distortion and a sharp colorful image. The two lenses I shot the race with were new to me. Released over the last 6 months I hadn't had a chance to use either and came away from the weekend amazed by both. 

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

Down the stretch and into history. D4s and 300/f4 PF

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

Crossing the finish line with not another horse in the frame. I love the people in the background and the different ways they are enjoying the moment. Arms up or backs turned trying to get selfies the horse gave the people what they wanted. 

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

Two images of Victor Espinoza's jubilation 

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

History was made at Belmont Park racetrack on June 6 2015 as American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the Triple Crown in 37 years

Switched back to the D810 and 20 for this shot of Victor still pumping his fist in excitement and riding into blues skies and history.