Hope springs eternal at the racetrack. At the Belmont Stakes on June 6, American Pharoah has a chance to become the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. The bay colt is the current favorite among oddsmakers after beating the fields in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. But that means little for the Belmont. Since Affirmed’s Triple Crown in 1978, 13 horses have won the first two races only to fall short of the prize. The past nine Belmont winners did not race in the Preakness; fresh horses tend to do well on Belmont’s long, 1½-mile track. No matter. The potential for a Triple Crown winner gets racing fans everywhere excited about the Belmont, and American Pharoah will have legions rooting for him–with any odds.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Write to Sean Gregory at sean.gregory@time.com