On Saturday, American Pharoah won the 1½-mile Belmont in 2:26:65 minutes, capping his wins at the Derby and the Preakness and ending a record 37-year drought without a Triple Crown champion.
But how would the new champion of American horse racing stack up against his predecessors in the Belmont? Here's a look at all 12 Triple Crown winners to see who would win a best-of-the-best matchup in the so-called "Test of the Champion" compiled from the Belmont Stakes website.
Secretariat not only took the Triple Crown after 25 years without a title winner, his 2:24 finish also set a Belmont record that to this day has never been broken. Secretariat utterly conquered the field, crossing the line 31 lengths ahead of runner-up Twice a Prince. Secretariat was honored as the Horse of the Year a year before his historic Triple Crown victory, which was a rarity for two-year-old horses. After the 1973 Triple Crown, Secretariat competed in nine more races, winning six, placing second twice, and coming third only once.
Affirmed's final time for the Belmont Stakes was the third-fastest in history. The horse was best known for his rivalry with Alydar, who matched strides with the Triple Crown hopeful from the mile pole at the top of the stretch in a tense 1978 Belmont race. The Belmont Park crowd held its collective breath as Alydar and Affirmed dueled over the homestretch, battling for supremacy until Affirmed did just that for a Triple Crown win.
3) American Pharoah (2:26:65, 2015)
American Pharoah delivered a victory for Egyptian-born owner Ahmed Zayat, who bred the colt and put him up for sale before buying him back for $300,000. His name came courtesy of the family's online contest, in which a woman from Missouri submitted the winning moniker. The misspelling — normally it's "pharaoh" — went unnoticed until the name was already official.
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Victor Espinoza, celebrates atop American Pharoah, after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. With the wins, American Pharoah becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.
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American Pharoah #5, ridden by Victor Espinoza, comes down the final stretch ahead of the field on his way to winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015.
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Victor Espinoza, celebrates atop American Pharoah after crossing the finish line.
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Victor Espinoza, celebrates atop American Pharoah in the winner's circle.
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Victor Espinoza, celebrates atop American Pharoah.
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American Pharoah is brought into the winners circle after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes.
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Victor Espinoza celebrates atop American Pharoah.
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Victor Espinoza celebrates.
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American Pharoah #5, ridden by Victor Espinoza, leads the field out of the fourth turn during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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Ahmed Zayat, owner of American Pharoah #5, celebrates with the Triple Crown Trophy after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. With the win, American Pharoah becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.
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Victor Espinoza, jockey of American Pharoah #5, celebrates with the Triple Crown Trophy after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. With the wins American Pharoah becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years
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During the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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During the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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American Pharoah #5, ridden by Victor Espinoza, during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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Victor Espinoza, celebrates atop American Pharoah #5, after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. With the wins American Pharoah becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years.
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ELMONT, NY - JUNE 06: Victor Espinoza, celebrates atop American Pharoah #5, after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. With the wins American Pharoah becomes the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 37 years. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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ELMONT, NY - JUNE 06: American Pharoah #5, ridden by Victor Espinoza, during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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ELMONT, NY - JUNE 06: The field leaves the starting gate at the begining of the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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ELMONT, NY - JUNE 06: American Pharoah #5, ridden by Victor Espinoza, comes out of the paddock during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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A spectator wearing a horse mask watches the third race of the day prior to the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 6, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah will try for a Triple Crown when he runs in Saturday's race.
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Races fans stand outside of the paddock prior to the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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Race fans stand in the paddock during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner American Pharoah, gets a kiss from his owner, Ahmed Zayat after a workout at Belmont Park, June 5, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y.
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American Pharoah arrives at his barn with trainer Bob Baffert at Belmont Park on Tuesday, just four days ahead of the Belmont Stakes — where he'll try to become the first thoroughbred colt in decades to win the final race to sweep the Triple Crown.
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Trainer Bob Baffert leads a horse at Belmont Park on June 2, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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Ahmed Zayat, owner of American Pharoah, speaks to the media at Belmont Park on June 2, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
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An exercise rider jogs a race horse on the wet track during a workout at Belmont Park, Monday, June 1, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharaoh will try for the Triple Crown during Saturday's 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race.
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An exercise rider jogs a race horse on the wet track during a workout at Belmont Park, Monday, June 1, 2015, in Elmont, N.Y. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharaoh will try for the Triple Crown during Saturday's 147th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race.
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American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza, easily won the Preakness by seven lengths on Saturday, and he hopes his momentum will carry him to a Triple Crown victory at the Belmont Stakes next month. No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Click through to see more of this year's race to the Triple Crown.
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Trainer Bob Baffert rubs American Pharoah's head a day after he won the Preakness Stakes, setting up the Kentucky Derby champion for a run for the Triple Crown at Belmont.
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Lawrence Jones repaints the jockey silks to the winning colors of American Pharoah on a statue outside the stakes barn at Pimlico, one day after the colt won the Preakness there. Jones is in his 29th year of painting both the statue and the weather vane atop the winner's circle.
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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates after being awarded the trophy for winning the Preakness Stakes with his horse, American Pharoah.
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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates aboard American Pharoah after winning.
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Owner Ahmed Zayat (L) and trainer Bob Baffert celebrate after their horse American Pharoah won.
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Fans watch for the results of the tenth race at Pimlico.
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Robin Tipps looks over a race program before the race.
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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates aboard American Pharoah after winning the Preakness.
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A woman watches the 8th race prior to the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes.
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The signature drink of the Preakness is the Black-Eyed Susan.
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Darrell Brown of Alexandria, VA. enjoys a cigar prior to the race.
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Race fans carefully leave the muddy infield after the Preakness, which was run in driving rain.
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Jockey Victor Espinoza, left, celebrates aboard American Pharoah after winning the Preakness.
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A late deluge turned Pimlico Race Course into a muddy river, forcing spectators to leave the infield while the jockeys charged on at the appointed post time.
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Tiffany Mui of Baltimore, Maryland, lies out in the sun in the infield prior to the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 16 in Baltimore.
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Concert-goers dance to Armen van Buuren in the infield prior to the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Dortmund gets a bath following training for the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah trains on the track for the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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American Pharoah is bathed at the barn after training for the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Divining Rod grazes after training on the track for the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Mr. Z trains on the track for the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Dortmund trains on the track for the 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 15, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez gallops Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Monday, May 11, 2015. The colt is preparing for a start in the 140th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore on May 16.
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Groom Roberto Luna washes the face of Dortmund, third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, May 7, 2015. Dortmund continues to train before shipping to Baltimore next week for the Preakness Stakes on May 16th.
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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates atop of American Pharoah #18 in winners circle after winning the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates as he guides American Pharoah #18 after crossing the finish line to win the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. "I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth," he said after the race.
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American Pharoah #18, ridden by Victor Espinoza, leads the field to the finish line ahead of Firing Line #10, ridden by Gary Stevens, and Dortmund #8, ridden by Martin Garcia, during the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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American Pharoah #18, ridden by Victor Espinoza, comes out of turn 4 during the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Dortmund gets a bath following morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2015.
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Horses gallop down the backstretch during the second race of the day at Churchill Downs on the morning of the 141st Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S., on May 2, 2015.
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A woman poses with a Mint Julep at the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Thoroughbred racehorses round a curve on the backside during the first race of the day at Churchill Downs on the morning of the 141st Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S., on Saturday, May 2, 2015.
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A horse gets a bath after a morning workout at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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Fans watch a race before the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks horse race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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A man places a bet before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
Josh Groban sings the National Anthem at the 141st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky.
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Fans go through security before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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A horse gets a bath after a morning workout at Churchill Downs Friday, May 1, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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Horses train during an early during morning workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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A fan watches a race before the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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Exercise rider Isabelle Bourez rides Kentucky Derby hopeful Stanford during a workout at Churchill Downs Wednesday, April 29, 2015, in Louisville, Ky.
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American Pharoah is walked to the track during morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2015.
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Exercise rider Blair Golen gallops Kentucky Derby hopeful Tencendur for trainer George Weaver at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2015.
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Jockey John Velazquez speaks to media after his workout with Kentucky Derby contender Carpe Diem, at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., April 25, 2015. The 141st Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Churchill Downs.
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Jockey Miguel Mena, outside, draws Kentucky Derby hopeful International Star alongside his morning workmate, Drams Cut Short, on the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., April 18, 2015.
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Kentucky Derby contender Carpe Diem works out with jockey John Velazquez in Lexington, Ky., April 25, 2015.
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Kentucky Derby hopeful Dortmund is photographed after his arrival from California to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, April 26, 2015.
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Kentucky Derby hopeful, Frosted, won the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct with jockey Joel Roario on Saturday, April 4, 2015, in New York.
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Martin Garcia rides Kentucky Derby hopeful American Pharoah in a morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, April 26, 2015.
Son of the renowned purebred Man o' War, the mighty War Admiral made it to the finish line three lengths ahead of second-place Sceneshifter — but his win came at a cost. "The Admiral" had been rowdy at the race's start, repeatedly crashing through the gate and delaying the race for nine minutes. He sliced off a piece of his right front heel after he stumbled at the break, leaving behind a trail of blood as he ran.
Count Fleet's owner John D. Hertz, founder of the rental car company, disliked his horse's rambunctious nature, but Hertz was unsuccessful in his attempts to sell the thoroughbred. Hertz's opinion of his horse changed, however, when he watched Count Fleet win the Triple Crown by 25 lengths — a record that stood for 30 years until Secretariat's run.
On the day of the 1948 Belmont Stakes, Citation was a 2-5 favorite. The crowd watched in surprise as the bay stumbled at the beginning of the race — but Citation fought back, surging into the lead on the turn. He hit the wire five lengths in the lead, tying his time with War Admiral and Count Fleet. Citation became the first racing millionaire with a bankroll of $1,085,760 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1959.
A breeding manager called Seattle Slew "ugly" when the colt was born because he had no white markings and big, floppy ears. The colt was rejected several times based on his appearance and unimpressive pedigree. Cast off, he was eventually bought by two young couples from Washington. Slew raced on a muddy track in the 1977 Belmont Stakes and proved his doubters wrong, becoming the first horse with an undefeated record to win the Triple Crown.
Omaha suffered a setback when the gates opened on a sloppy track in 1935. His jockey, Willie Saunders, was able to quickly calm down Omaha and get the racehorse back on track to become the third Triple Crown winner by a 1½-length margin.
At first glance, Assault was not the pinnacle of a healthy, winning race horse: He suffered from kidney problems, had a misshapen hoof, weighed less than 1,000 pounds and was, overall, a petite contender in a field dominated by big horses. When the liver chestnut ran, however, it was described as flawless. While Lord Boswell was the favorite for that year's Belmont Stakes, Assault made it to the wire with three lengths to spare.
Whirlaway was no prize to his jockey, Eddie Arcaro, who called the chestnut "not the best, but the runningest". The chestnut's signature move was running off to the outside of the track to make wide turns. In fact, in 1940, Whirlaway hit an outer rail before winning the Saratoga Special. On the day of the Belmont Stakes, Arcaro let Whirlaway go to the front with a mile to go, allowing the team to win by a 1½ margin.
During practices, the affable horse loved to be with company and often set out with a team of horses — none of whom could never keep up with Gallant Fox. Jockey Earle Sande had come out of retirement to ride Gallant Fox, who gave Sande his third Derby victory and won the Belmont Stakes by three lengths.
Sir Barton was the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes before "Triple Crown" was even coined. He was a notoriously cranky colt who disliked humans and had soft feet which caused him to lose shoes during races. When Sir Barton won the Triple Crown in 1919, the length of the race was shorter by an eighth of a mile.
