UPDATE: American Pharoah becomes the first horse in 37 years to win the Triple Crown. Expect a movie in about two years.
When American Pharoah enters the gate for the Belmont Stakes this evening, not only will horse racing enthusiasts and general sports fans be watching, but so will Hollywood. It’s been 37 years since there’s been a Triple Crown winner, and you know there are already scripts in the works for a cinematic celebration of this horse IF he can pull it off. He’s certainly got the name to make it onto the Silver Screen:
It’s been the “Amercian Dreamz” of thousand of breeders, owners and jockeys to be part of a Triple Crown winner. “The Last American Hero” to do it – “Affirmed” in 1978 – was without a doubt an “American Flyer”. But that was so long ago it almost seems like an “American Gothic” story. Saturday, over 90,000 people will cram into Belmot Park in hopes of witnessing “American History (X)”. Fortunately, it’s not a “Wet Hot American Summer” day, though all those people should be careful to avoid the piles of “Amercian Pie” that will be on the ground where the horses hang out.
Here’s what I think is going to happen: Since this is the longest of the three Triple Crown races, Pharoah will hang back a bit at the start, and stalk the field, “American Ninja” style. Then, one by one, like an “American Sniper”, he’ll begin to pick-off the competitors ahead of him, until all they see is “An American Tail” of the soon-to-be 12th Triple Crown Champion as he flies to the finish line.
Most racing analysts think those of us picking Pharoah to win are “American Psycho”. Afterall, each of the past 13 horse who had the chance to win the Belmont after taking both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes” ended-up being an “American Loser”. If some “American Gangster” steals this race and the chance at immortality from “Pharoah” I’m sure I’ll feel like an “American Zombie” – I want to see a Triple Crown Champion in my lifetime!
And I want to see this movie. It will be the “American Ultra” success story. A thing of “American Beauty”.
I wonder what they’ll call it?