Fans celebrate as American Pharoah claims place in history

NEW YORK — From Belmont Park to Fenway Park and far beyond, it was a party that horse racing had been waiting 37 years to throw.

All over, there were cheers as American Pharoah galloped away Saturday with the Triple Crown fans had waited almost four decades to witness again.

“I feel like I was honestly a part of history today,” said New York City resident Zach Witkoff, 22, who last year left the Belmont Stakes dejected after California Chrome’s failed bid at one of sport’s most elusive feats. “I think all the fans felt that way.”

In Boston, the Red Sox played a highlight of the race on the center-field scoreboard during a pitching change in the eighth inning, accompanied by the Lone Ranger’s theme song — “The William Tell Overture.” The crowd at Fenway roared when the finish was shown.

“I’m planning on putting it by Belmont glass up on my wall,” the long-time racing fan said after her first visit to Belmont Park. “We are not cashing it in because it’s a great souvenir for $2.”

James Maceiko, of Deer Park, N.Y., has been attending Belmont to witness a Triple Crown since Funny Cide made the attempt in 2003 — but now has proof in the form of an admissions ticket that he saw history live, at the race track.

“I’ll probably put it in a frame and hang it someplace,” he said.

Patrons at the sports book inside the New York-New York casino in Las Vegas hugged as American Pharoah crossed the finish line.

At Los Alamitos Race Course in Southern California, horseplayers danced and punched the air in celebration. Fans also gathered to watch the race outside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., as they were arriving to watch Chicago and Tampa Bay play Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals.