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SI cover: American Pharoah rides into history
As 90,000 spectators waited anxiously to see if history would be made at the 147th Belmont Stakes last Saturday, Sports Illustrated’s deputy picture editor, Erick Rasco, desperately attempted to find a decent vantage point near the finish line. If American Pharoah crossed the line first, it would break an almost four-decade drought of any horse winning the sport's most coveted prize: the Triple Crown.
In order to get any kind of shot, Rasco attached his Canon EOS 1D X with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to the end of a monopod, creating a pole cam reaching several feet above his head. With his remote trigger attached, which locked down the focus and focal length, Rasco and his fellow spectators, many armed with smartphones, fixed their eyes on the track.
American Pharoah, who is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated, shot out of the gate first. He never relinquished his hold on first place, increasing his lead with every long stride before finishing the mile and a half track first by 5½ lengths over Frosted.
How Rasco got the cover shot is nothing short of opportunity meeting a great deal of luck.
“During the race I had no view of the track. The crowd had begun to stand on chairs and benches,” Rasco said. “The only way I knew to fire the camera as American Pharoah approached the finish was from the intensity of the crowd around me yelling and cheering. Based on that, I fired a burst of frames from my camera. I didn’t see any of the horses at the finish. I hoped I timed it right with the crowd guiding me.”
“When I finally got to review the images in the workroom I was both relieved and thrilled. The right horse at the right time,” Rasco added.
American Pharoah can now be included on the list of the sport's greatest horses, like Sir Barton, Assault, War Admiral, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed, who until Saturday was the most recent Triple Crown winner.
“We've had a lot of good horses,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I’ve never had one that moves like this. Never.”
American Pharoah's Triple Crown obliterates years of disappointment
“The race was, first, about American Pharaoh winning the first Triple Crown in 37 years, but it was also about a horse making people care about a sport in a way they haven’t in a long time,” SI’s managing editor Chris Stone writes. “Not the trainers or the jockeys or stable workers who live and sweat it every day, but the people in that photo with their arms raised, their smartphones poised, in full throat. On an amazing sports weekend, horse racing was back at its center because of the extraordinary horse first, but also because of all the people who found themselves emotionally invested in that story—at least for a little while.”
For more on American Pharoah, check out Tim Layden’s story in this week’s Sports Illustrated (subscribe here).
Also in this issue: a feature on Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, pitcher Johan Santana, news on the ongoing FIFA scandal, and continuing coverage of the Stanley Cup finals.
GALLERY: 2015 Sports Illustrated Covers
2015 Sports Illustrated Covers
Will Smith
December 21, 2015 | This week’s cover of Sports Illustrated features actor Will Smith ahead of the Christmas Day release of the movie Concussion.
Serena Williams
December 21, 2015 | Serena Williams is Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year.
Deshaun Watson
December 14, 2015 | Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, one of the finalists for the Heisman Trophy, is featured on the College Football Playoff preview issue of Sports Illustrated.
Brock Osweiler
December 7, 2015 | Two games after replacing the injured Peyton Manning as Denver's quarterback, Brock Osweiler lands on a regional cover of SI on the strength of victories over Chicago and undefeated New England.
LeBron James
December 7, 2015 | LeBron James appears on yet another cover of SI, this time with an exclusive interview on what the past 16 months have been like since his return to Cleveland and the urgency he feels to win another title.
Cam Newton
November 30, 2015 | Quarterback Cam Newton and the 10–0 Carolina Panthers are featured on this week’s national cover of SI. Carolina has been led in the quest to remain undefeated by Newton, who has generated controversy with his on-field antics.
Iowa Hawkeyes
November 30, 2015 | Iowa football, which shares the Panthers’ undefeated record, is featured on the regional cover delivered to the following locations: Missouri, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota.
Jeff Gordon
November 23, 2015 | Fourteen years after he won his fourth Cup title, Jeff Gordon is in NASCAR's final four with a shot at one more championship. That earned him a spot on this week's cover of SI.
Todd Gurley
November 23, 2015 | It's not hard to imagine all the rushing records falling to St. Louis Rams rookie Todd Gurley, who appears on a regional cover of this week's SI.
Michael Phelps
November 16, 2015 | A year ago the best swimmer in Olympic history was lost. Now, after coming to terms with himself, the best might lie ahead for Michael Phelps, who appears on this week's SI cover.
Clemson: Deshaun Watson
November 16, 2015 | Regional Cover: When not coining acronyms, Dabo Swinney is building the nation's #1 team, which is why Clemson is on the cover of the mid-November issue of SI.
Kansas City Royals
November 9, 2015 | After winning their first World Series title since 1985, the Kansas City Royals are featured on this week’s cover of Sports Illustrated.
Daniel Murphy
November 2, 2015 | New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, the NLCS MVP who helped his team reach the World Series, is on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated. Murphy hit an astronomical .421 with a 1.026 slugging percentage in the first two rounds of the playoffs, thanks to his seven home runs, six of which he hit in consecutive games.
Lorenzo Cain
November 2, 2015 | With the Kansas City Royals back in the World Series, centerfielder Lorenzo Cain appears on a regional issue of Sports Illustrated. Cain was the 2014 ALCS MVP and hit .300 in this year’s ALCS as the Royals peppered the Toronto Blue Jays with hits to score 38 runs and earn a ticket to baseball’s finale.
Karl-Anthony Towns with Kevin Garnett
October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars, including Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns and Kevin Garnett (pictured at right).
LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan
October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars, including LaMarcus Aldridge and Tim Duncan (pictured at right).
D’Angelo Russell and Kobe Bryant
October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars, including Kobe Bryant and D'Angelo Russell (pictured at right).
Justise Winslow and Dwyane Wade
October 26, 2015 | Four NBA teams are featured on the cover of this week’s NBA Preview issue of Sports Illustrated, which takes a look at how each team’s superstars will act as mentors to their next wave of stars,including Dwyane Wade and Justice Winslow (pictured at right).
Leonard Fournette
October 19, 2015 | This week’s cover of Sports Illustrated features LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette, who has led his Tigers to a 5–0 record and a No. 6 national ranking.
Toronto Blue Jays
October 12, 2015 | The Toronto Blue Jays are playoff-bound for the first time since winning the 1993 World Series and this week's SI cover features designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, pitcher David Price, catcher Russell Martin, rightfielder Jose Bautista, third baseman Josh Donaldson and manager John Gibbons.
Muhammad Ali
October 5, 2015 | Muhammad Ali is honored on the cover this week to celebrate the magazine’s Sportsman Legacy Award. The Legacy Award was created in 2008 to honor former athletes and sports figures who embody ideals of leadership, sportsmanship and philanthropy as vehicles for changing the world. The renaming of the award was announced earlier this week, and Ali will be recognized at a dedication ceremony at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday. That date, Oct. 1., also marks the 40th anniversary of Ali’s legendary “Thrilla in Manila” defeat of Joe Frazier.
Trae Elston
September 28, 2015 | After a 3–0 start to their season, the Ole Miss Rebels and defensive back Trae Elston are featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story by Andy Staples. In wins over UT Martin, Fresno State and Alabama, Elston, a senior, logged a team-leading three interceptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns with 12 total tackles.
Aaron Rodgers
September 21, 2015 | As Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers prepares for a season without his top receiver, the reigning NFL MVP is featured on a regional cover. Rodgers completed 18 of 23 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s season opening win over the Chicago Bears.
Marcus Mariota
September 21, 2015 | Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is also featured on a regional cover. Mariota completed 13 of 16 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns in his debut, recording a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the team's 42-14 victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Tom Brady
September 14, 2015 | The New England Patriots appear on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated, with S.L. Price analyzing the Deflategate court ruling and three investigative reports writing about other teams' distrust of the Patriots.
Cody Kessler
September 14, 2015 | Cody Kessler of USC is on a regional cover this week.
Odell Beckham Jr.
September 7, 2015 | New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.
Lavonte David
September 7, 2015 | Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.
Russell Wilson
September 7, 2015 | Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.
J.J. Watt
September 7, 2015 | Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.
Matt Forte
September 7, 2015 | Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte headlines a list of five players featured on regional covers of the NFL Preview issue.
Serena Williams
August 31, 2015 | Chasing history at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams is featured on this week's SI cover.
Chicago Cubs
August 31, 2015 | Cubs' resurgence, Wrigley optimism featured on this week's regional SI cover.
Cardinals Rule
August 24, 2015 | Ben Reiter examines the greatness of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have overcome injuries to stars like Adam Wainwright on their way to Major League Baseball's best record.
Fantasy Football Preview
August 17, 2015 | Austin Murphy profiles Antonio Brown, the undersized and underexposed wideout who, over the last two years, has been perhaps the NFL’s most productive wide receiver.
Fantasy Football Preview
August 17, 2015 | Marshawn Lynch could be the safest pick of any other running back in fantasy football.
Fantasy Football Preview
August 17, 2015 | Ryan Tannehill could be this year's fantasy quarterback breakout as he attempts to lead the Dolphins to the playoffs.
Fantasy Football Preview
August 17, 2015 | Robert Quinn and the Rams defense are a fantasy owner's dream unit.
Ohio State
August 10, 2015 | Ohio State is looking to defend its national title this season, but the Buckeyes have no shortage of challengers.
Notre Dame
August 10, 2015 | Despite a new starting quarterback, Notre Dame looks like a contender entering the 2015 season.
Mississippi State
August 10, 2015 | Dak Prescott electrified Starkville last season as Mississippi State unexpectedly attained a No. 1 ranking, but the Bulldogs have the pressure of expectations this season.
TCU
August 10, 2015 | TCU narrowly missed the College Football Playoff last season, but Heisman candidate Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frogs are primed for a title run this year.
Pete Carroll
August 3, 2015 | Pete Carroll isn't shaken by his fateful decision to pass from the 1-yard-line at the end of Super Bowl XLIX.
Darrelle Revis
July 27, 2015 | New York's Darrelle Revis is back on Broadway, recreating the iconic Joe Namath SI cover.
U.S. Women’s National Team
July 20, 2015 | Julie Johnston, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s National Team appear on one of 25 different SI covers this week. The other 24 covers honor each individual player and coach Jill Ellis.
Favre: In SI’s annual “Where Are They Now?” issue
July 6-13, 2015 | Former Packers great Brett Favre finally is comfortable after retiring from the NFL for the final time five years ago.
Jordan Spieth wins the U.S. Open
June 29, 2015 | Jordan Spieth’s dramatic one-shot U.S. Open victory at Chambers Bay has the 21-year old phenom just two major victories from winning golf’s Grand Slam.
NBA MVP Stephen Curry
June 29, 2015 | Basketball’s best shooter, NBA MVP Stephen Curry, completed a dream season by helping bring home the Warriors first title in 40 years, but knows there is more work to do if they want to be known as a dynasty.
Chicago Blackhawks win their third Stanley Cup
June 22, 2015 | The Chicago Blackhawks capped off their third Stanley Cup title in six years with a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and are now hockey’s newest modern day dynasty.
The NBA Finals
June 22, 2015 | The NBA Finals have completed turned around, thanks to the defensive and surprisingly, offensive contributions of Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala.
American Pharoah Wins The Triple Crown
June 15, 2015 | American Pharoah ended a nearly four-decade Triple Crown drought by winning the 147th Belmont Stakes, and making it look easy.
The United States Women’s National Team
June 8, 2015 | The United States Women’s National Team is looking for redemption in this year’s World Cup after a heartbreaking shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 tournament.
Sydney Leroux
June 8, 2015 | The United States Women’s National Team is looking for redemption in this year’s World Cup after a heartbreaking shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 tournament.
Abby Wambach
June 8, 2015 | The United States Women’s National Team is looking for redemption in this year’s World Cup after a heartbreaking shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 tournament.
Alex Morgan
June 8, 2015 | The United States Women’s National Team is looking for redemption in this year’s World Cup after a heartbreaking shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 tournament.
Carli Lloyd
June 8, 2015 | The United States Women’s National Team is looking for redemption in this year’s World Cup after a heartbreaking shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 tournament.
Warriors
June 1, 2015 | NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors are rewarding fans with a brand of basketball that is packing the rafters at Oracle Arena, and bringing them closer to a championship.
LeBron James
June 1, 2015 | Make no mistake, Cleveland is LeBron James’s town, the Cavaliers are his team and with it he carries the burden of a championship-starved city on his shoulders.
Kansas City Royals
June 1, 2015 | The Kansas City Royals, led by first baseman Eric Hosmer, boasts baseball’s best record and a rough playing style that infuriates opponents, but pleases everyone else.
Stephen Curry
May 25, 2015 | The Golden State Warriors, led by Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry, are heavy favorites to bring home their first NBA championship since 1976.
Ronda Rousey
May 18, 2015 | The UFC’s biggest star, women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, has crossed over into the mainstream, but still enjoys dominating her opponents in record time.
Jim Harbaugh
May 18, 2015 | College football’s winningest program ever hopes an infusion of enthusiasm and a winning pedigree from alum and new coach Jim Harbaugh are just what its needs to become a dominate program again.
Marcus Mariota
May 11, 2015 | The NFL’s draft second overall pick, Marcus Mariota, hopes to lead a revival of fortunes for the Tennessee Titans, who haven’t been to the playoffs since 2008.
Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao
May 4, 2015 | Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao welterweight unification beat is expected to be the richest in boxing history and will finally settle who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Jordan Spieth
April 20-27, 2015 | Jordan Spieth evoked memories of Tiger Woods’ first Masters championship, after a sublime 18-under, four-shot victory at Augusta.
UConn
April 20-27, 2015 | Connecticut again rolled through their competition this season, capped off with a 10th National Championship under coach Geno Auriemma.
Buffalo Bills
April 20-27, 2015 | The Bills have not been to the playoffs in 15 years, but fans along Rex Ryan, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas are excited for the future.
Duke wins
April 13, 2015 | Duke's freshman, led by guard Tyus Jones, played like veterans in leading the Blue Devils to their fifth national championship with a victory over Wisconsin.
Russell Westbrook
April 6, 2015 | Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City’s dynamic guard, is putting up video game-type numbers this season, as the Thunder push toward a playoff berth without injured starters Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka.
Kentucky
April 6, 2015 | So far this season, Kentucky has dispatched all of their opponents, going into the Final Four just two wins away from a historic 40-0 season.
Indians
March 30, 2015 | The Indians haven’t won the World Series since 1948, but behind Cy Young winner and MVP candidate Michael Brantley, the Tribe could be hoisting the championship trophy.
Royals
March 30, 2015 | The Kansas City Royals are looking for redemption after last season’s seven-game World Series defeat to the San Francisco Giants.
Nationals
March 30, 2015 | Power is the name of the game in Washington, behind a loaded pitching staff and slugger Bryce Harper, the NL East champs are primed again to make a run in October.
Mariners
March 30, 2015 | The Seattle Mariners, longtime bottom-feeders in the AL West, will rely on youth and ace Felix Hernandez to get over the hump and back into the playoffs.
Frank Kaminsky
March 23, 2015 | Wisconsin’s do-it-all forward, senior Frank Kaminsky, is Sports lllustrated’s Player of the Year, after leading the Badgers to a 31-3 record and the Big Ten’s regular season and tournament titles.
Kentucky/Virginia
March 16, 2015 | The regular season ACC champions have the tools, leadership and the defensive prowess to give any team, including Kentucky, fits.
Kentucky/Northern Iowa
March 16, 2015 | Northern Iowa, led by MVC Player of the Year Seth Tuttle, are making their first NCAA tourney appearance in five years and have never advanced past the Sweet 16.
Kentucky/Arizona
March 16, 2015 | The Wildcats haven’t been to the Final Four since 2001, but boasts a frontcourt and defense that has given Pac-12 teams trouble this season.
March 9, 2015 | Did Basketball Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain have any children? That’s the question one San Francisco man is trying to answer as he has gone on a decade long search to prove that he is Chamberlain’s son.
March 2, 2015 | With a record $325 million contract, Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton is out to prove that Miami can be a contender in the loaded National League.
March 2, 2015 | Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer is now starring for third-ranked Gonzaga with an improved game and reliable teammates, the Bulldogs still seek that elusive first Final Four berth.
February 23, 2015 | Houston Rockets star guard James Harden wasn’t sure he was one of the league’s best players. Now, NBA defenses have tried and mostly failed to stop the league’s leading scorer.
February 23, 2015 | Klay Thompson
February 23, 2015 | Jimmy Butler
Winter, 2015 | The SI Swimsuit 2015 cover, starring one Hannah Davis, is here! The cover shot, taken by Ben Watts at Tennessee's idyllic Blackberry Farm, marks Hannah's third (and, we tend to think, best) appearance in the issue and was revealed Wednesday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
New England Patriots
February 9-16, 2015 | The New England Patriots have cemented their legacy as one of the NFL’s best dynasties ever with a fourth championship, a thrilling Super Bowl XLIX victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Richard Sherman
February 2, 2015 | Richard Sherman and 'Legion of Boom' appear on the cover of SI this week.
Ernie Banks
February 2, 2015 | Legendary shortstop Ernie Banks was the heart and soul of the Chicago Cubs despite never reaching the postseason in his 19 MLB seasons.
Super Bowl preview
January 26, 2015 | The Seahawks and Patriots both have a legacy they want to stake by winning Super Bowl XLIX: being the best football team of this generation.
The National Champions
January 19, 2015 | Ohio State is on top of the college football after Ezekiel Elliott and the Buckeyes ran all over Oregon in the National Championship Game.
Oregon
January 12, 2015 | No team has stopped Oregon in the past three months and Ohio State’s task in the National Championship game will be to slow down the Ducks’ feared running attack.
Rob Gronkowski
January 12, 2015 | All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski could be the key to the New England Patriots hoisting another Super Bowl trophy.
GALLERY: Triple Crown winners
Triple Crown Winners
American Pharoah (2015)
American Pharoah led all the way in winning the Belmont Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths, becoming the first horse since 1978 to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes--one of the sporting world's rarest feats.
Affirmed (1978)
The great-great grandson of Triple Crown winner War Admiral, Affirmed battled with Alydar in all three races, beating his rival by 1 1/2 lengths in the Derby, a neck in the Preakness, and a nose in the Belmont.
Seattle Slew (1977)
Seattle Slew was the first to win the Triple Crown with an undefeated record, and was the last living Triple Crown winner when he died in 2002.
Secretariat (1973)
The first athlete to appear on the cover of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated in the same week, Secretariat ran the fastest Kentucky Derby ever and won the Belmont Stakes by a record 31 lengths to break a 25-year drought of Triple Crown winners, the longest before the current 35-year streak.
Citation (1948)
Eddie Arcaro became the first and only jockey to win two Triple Crowns (he won in 1941 with Whirlaway) after winning all three races by more than three lengths and tying the then-Belmont Stakes record of 2:28.2.
Assault (1946)
Despite a deformed right hoof and noticeable limp, earning him the nickname "The Clubfooted Comet," Assault came from five lengths back in the stretch to win the Belmont, and the Triple Crown, by three lengths.
Count Fleet (1943)
Count Fleet was known for blowing away his competition and winning with ease, including a track record 25 lengths victory at the Belmont.
Whirlaway (1941)
Known for his dramatic victories, Whirlaway began races slowly, but finished with sudden outbursts of speed, shocking spectators in all three of the Triple Crown races and eventually finishing with more than $500,000 in career winnings.
War Admiral (1937)
War Admiral, son of what many consider the greatest Thoroughbred racehorse of all time, Man o' War, won an impressive 21 of 26 starts, just behind rival Seabiscuit.
Omaha (1935)
Although he only won one race as a two-year old, the son of Gallant Fox lived up to expectations the following year.
Gallant Fox (1930)
French-bred Gallant Fox became the second U.S. Triple Crown winner and first to sire a second generation Triple Crown champion, Omaha, ultimately leading to an increased popularity of European racehorses.
Sir Barton (1919)
Ridden by Johnny Loftus, Sir Barton was the first to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in the same year. The formal name of Triple Crown wasn't used until 1930.
