Final Belmont Images

Although his name is American Pharoah, he has been more like Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt, as masses of humanity follow him everywhere, from the moment he leaves his barn to the last drops of water from his bath. And that was also the case this morning when he was brought out to be schooled in the paddock.
 
While all eyes are focused on American Pharoah, several of his main contenders have been thriving, most notably Frosted, Mubtaahij, and Materiality. Mubtaahij was out for yet another blowout this morning, with his new rider, Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, and the son of Dubawi looked good down the stretch and appeared to be striding out well over a surface he no doubt prefers over Churchill Downs.

American Pharoah is always down into the bit with his neck arched as if he's anxious to get it on.

Although exercise rider Jorge Alvarez is all smiles it is obvious that American Pharoah wanted to do more than jog his first day on the track.

Wherever American Pharoah goes you can be sure there will be a crowd of humanity around him.

American Pharoah schooling in the paddock seems dwarfed by the mighty Secretariat, but that might not be the case anymore  on Saturday evening

American Pharoah stops to admire the magnificent horse on the big screen.

Materiality rarely picked his head up when grazing and when he did he always came up chewing.

Materiality looked great schooling in the paddock this morning.

Mubtaahij heads to the track with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for his final blowout.

Mubtaahij blowing out for the Belmont Stakes. And on his right lead

The handsome Tale of Verve schooling in the paddock.

Frosted, closely guarded by his security officer, was the last Belmont horse on the track this morning.