This year was my second Triple Crown journey and marked the one year anniversary of my uncle's passing. Last year, he died almost exactly 48 hours after the race. I ended up missing a graveside memorial for him this year since it was the day after the Belmont, I made back for lunch though. Last year my family and I independently came to the conclusion that my uncle would never want him to be the reason I miss a world-class sporting event. He always joked around that I would bring him with me when I shot the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
Last year he did something new and started sharing the links of my blog posts. After he shared my Derby and Preakness post last year, I knew I had to take him out for drinks once I got back from the Belmont. It came as a shock to the family that his health deteriorated so quickly and ended up in the ICU one week before the race last year. He barely made it through that week, his heart stopped the Monday of raceday while I was in Ohio on my way to New York.
My uncle was probably the one person in my family I was closest to, it hurt a lot, it still does. We're all still hurting.
Here's some selects from my time in New York for the Belmont race where American Pharoah became the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown.
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| June 4, 2015: American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert, is photographed by the media while he gets a bath after exercising in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes while in Elmont, New York. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| June 4, 2015: American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert, gets a bath after exercising in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| JUNE 5, 2015: American Pharoah, trained by Bob Baffert, gets a bath after exercising in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York, NY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| JUNE 5, 2015: Ahmed Zayat, owner of American Pharoah, gestures to exercise rider George Alvarez after morning workouts in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes as trainer Bob Baffert (upper right) looks on at Belmont Park in New York, NY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| JUNE 5, 2015: American Pharoah exercise rider George Alvarez in the barn after morning workouts in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York, NY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| JUNE 5, 2015: Ahmed Zayat, owner of American Pharoah, kisses American Pharoah getting a bath after exercising in preparation for the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York, NY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| June 6, 2015: American Pharaoh, ridden by Victor Espinoza, wins the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Elmont, New York to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing history. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| June 6, 2015: American Pharaoh, ridden by Victor Espinoza, exits the starting gate and wins the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Elmont, New York to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing history. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| June 6, 2015: American Pharaoh, ridden by Victor Espinoza, wins the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Elmont, New York to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing history. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| June 6, 2015: Former President Bill Clinton celebrates after American Pharaoh, ridden by Victor Espinoza, wins the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Elmont, New York to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing history. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| JUNE 6, 2015: American Pharoah assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes (left) and exercise rider Georgie Alvarez celebrate American Pharoah becoming the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown at Belmont Park in New York, NY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| June 6, 2015: American Pharaoh, ridden by Victor Espinoza, wins the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Elmont, New York to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred racing history. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
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| JUNE 6, 2015: American Pharoah assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes celebrates American Pharoah becoming the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown at Belmont Park in New York, NY. Jon Durr/ESW/CSM |
