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A thoroughbred with a tie to BU could become the first horse to win racing’s Triple Crown since 1978.

American Pharoah, owned by Ahmed Zayat (SPH’86), is the favorite to win the 147th Belmont Stakes, the third in thoroughbred racing’s famous trifecta, on June 6. The three-year-old won the 141st Kentucky Derby on May 2 and the 140th Preakness Stakes on May 16.

The spoils of a Belmont victory would include a big share of racing history, an $800,000 purse for first place, and millions more in increased stud fees. It would also be a stunning triumph for Egyptian-born Zayat, who has been in the racing game only since 2005.

The last Triple Crown win was in 1978, when Affirmed became the 11th horse to have accomplished the feat since the first, Sir Barton, won in 1919.

With jockey Victor Espinoza aboard, American Pharoah will start the mile-and-a-half race from the number 5 post position at Belmont Park. Espinoza rode the two-time champion in the Derby at Churchill Downs and in the Preakness at Pimlico.

Since Affirmed took the Triple Crown 37 years ago, 13 horses have won the first two legs of the crown only to fall short at Belmont. Bob Baffert, who trains American Pharoah for Zayat Stables, trained three of them, and jockey Espinoza rode two.

Ahmed Zayat hoists the trophy after American Pharoah’s win at the 2015 Preakness Stakes May 16. Photo by Maryland GovPics (Flickr)

Zayat competed in equestrian show jumping as a boy in Egypt. He attended Yeshiva University in New York City before earning a master’s from the School of Public Health. His wife, Joanne Kranz Zayat (SAR’84,’85), is also a graduate of the University.

In Egypt, the 52-year-old Zayat owned the Al Ahram beverage company, known for a popular nonalcoholic drink. After the company was sold to Heineken International in 2002 for a reported $280 million, Zayat returned to the United States and settled in Teaneck, N.J.

Zayat Stables, ranked number one in the nation in 2008 and 2015, is based in Hackensack, N.J. Zayat’s son Justin is the operation’s racing and stallion manager.

Zayat horses have won millions in prize money, and include 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness runner-up Bodemeister, 2010 Derby favorite Eskendereya (who was withdrawn before the race), 2009 Derby runner-up Pioneer of the Nile, and 2011 Derby runner-up Nehro.

In Saturday’s race, with only eight horses—two were withdrawn earlier this week—American Pharoah is a strong favorite, starting the week at 3 to 5 odds. His closest competitor is Frosted, who starts at 5 to 1 and will run from the number six position.

American Pharoah won the Derby in a close race, but took the Preakness by seven lengths on a track soaked by rain. Saturday’s weather forecast for Belmont Park, just outside New York City, calls for partly sunny skies

Pharoah, like some of Zayat’s other horses, was named to honor the owner’s Egyptian heritage; the winner of a naming contest reportedly misspelled the word “pharaoh.”