Here we are again.

The chase for the triple crown continues as American Pharaoh has a chance to be the first triple crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. The third leg is of course the Belmont Stakes, and Mexican jockey Victor Espinoza has a chance at forever imprinting his name in horse racing history.

It was just last year when Espinoza won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes with California Chrome but couldn't close the deal at Belmont. As a matter of fact, Espinoza won the first two legs in 2002 riding War Emblem, but again, just couldn't win the Belmont Stakes. This will be the third time in his career that Espinoza has a chance at winning the triple crown.

Espinoza has never won the Belmont Stakes.

What makes the triple crown so difficult and so hard to achieve is the fact that a winner of two legs must go up against fresh horses. California Chrome wasn't even close to winning at Belmont last year, and many people complained that many of the horses should not be allowed to compete in the third leg without running at Kentucky or the Preakness. American Pharaoh is the only running horse that competed in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes this year.

Luckily for Espinoza, the field won't be very big. Last year he had to face 10 other horses, however this Belmont Stakes will feature just seven opponents for Espinoza and American Pharaoh. Let's take a look at the field.

Post Positions, Jockeys and Odds

Post 1: Mubtaahij ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. (10-1)

Post 2: Tale of Verve ridden by Gary Stevens (15-1)

Post 3: Madefromlucky ridden by Javier Castellano (12-1)

Post 4: Frammento ridden by Mike Smith (30-1)

Post 5: American Pharaoh ridden by Victor Espinoza (3-5)

Post 6: Frosted ridden by Joel Rosario (5-1)

Post 7: Keen Ice ridden by Kent Desormeaux (20-1)

Post 8: Materiality ridden by John Velazquez (6-1)

Interestingly, five of the eight jockeys that will be running at the Belmont are from Latin American nations. Soccer and baseball are the most popular sports in Latin America, but numerous Latinos have been thrive at American horse racing events.

Schedule, Where to Watch

The 2015 Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 6 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Coverage will begin at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBC, and post time is scheduled for 6:50 p.m. EST.

Prediction

It's so difficult to win all three legs against fresh horses, and Espinoza knows that first hand. Fortunately for him, it won't be a very large field this year. A third time is a charm for Espinoza as he ends the triple crown drought. American Pharaoh wins a close one.


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