Bill Denver of Shrewsbury has been taking thoroughbred photos (Equi-Photo, Inc) since 1983 when he started as Jim Raffery’s assistant at Monmouth Park. So when Denver says the Belmont was the most thrilling race he photographed, you know it was something special.
Denver, the current MP photographer, has seen some of the best including Holy Bull winning the 1994 Haskell and the 2007 Breeder’s Cup at the Oceanport track.
Denver says the only race that has come close to the thrill in his career was Barbaro’s 2006 Kentucky Derby win. “It was close but American Pharoah winning the Belmont indeed was something special.”
Denver felt he saw history in the making and was lucky enough to be there to record it. “The cheering behind me was electrifying as Pharoah came off the final turn in the lead,” Denver says. “The horse is a true champion.”
– By Art Petrosemolo
Related: Not A Surprise: American Pharoah Wins Belmont and Triple Crown
