NBC earns strong TV ratings with American Pharoah's Triple Crown win

NBC earns strong TV ratings with American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win

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Jockey Victor Espinoza guides American Pharoah across the finish line to win the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday in Elmont, N.Y.

(Travis Lindquist / Getty Images)

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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates American Pharoah’s victory in the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

(Rob Carr / Getty Images)

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Victor Espinoza atop the victorious American Pharoah at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Peter Morgan / Associated Press)

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Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates after guiding American Pharoah to victory in the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Al Bello / Getty Images)

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A horse racing fan pays homage to the newest Triple Crown winner after American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Kathy Willens / Associated Press)

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American Pharoah is brought into the Winner’s Circle after his victory in the 147th Belmont Stakes.

(Al Bello / Getty Images)

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Jockey Victor Espinoza and trainer Bob Baffert, along with his wife Jill, hoist the Triple Crown Trophy after American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Elsa / Getty Images)

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American Pharoah owner Ahmed Zayat, center, and jockey Victor Espinoza hold aloft the Belmont Stakes Trophy while trainer Bob Baffert holds aloft the Triple Crown Trophy during their celebration at Belmont Park on Saturday.

(Elsa Garrison / Getty Images)

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Exercise rider Jorge Alvarez gives American Pharoah a kiss after the colt won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Garry Jones / Associated Press)

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Jockey Victor Espinoza guides American Pharoah down the final stretch to victory in the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

(Rob Carr / Getty Images)

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American Pharoah makes the final turn with the lead in the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Elsa Garrison / Getty Images)

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American Pharoah has the lead heading down the backstretch of the 147th Belmont Stakes.

(Jason DeCrow / Associated Press)

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The horses leave the gate to start the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday in Elmont, N.Y.

(Rob Carr / Getty Images)

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American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza head to the starting gate for the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Rob Carr / Getty Images)

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Susan Sommer-Luarca paints a picture of American Pharoah before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

(Seth Wenig / Associated Press)

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Carlo SPano of Lindenhurt, N.Y., dons an American Pharoah hat before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday in Elmont, N.Y.

(Jason DeCrow / Associated Press)

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A horse racing fan prepares to make wagers before the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

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If it’s a big horse racing event, fans will be sporting their colorful hats such as these women at the Belmont Park paddock.

(Mike Stobe / Getty Images)

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Steve Cauthen, who rode Affirmed to the last Triple Crown sweep in 1978, signed autographs before the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

(Kathy Willens / Associated Press)

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Edwin Collazo of Brooklyn, N.Y., wears a hat in favor of American Pharoah, the horse that will try to win the first Triple Crown since 1978 on Saturday at the 147th Belmont Stakes.

(Jason DeCrow / Associated Press)

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A tractor harrows the Belmont Park dirt in preparation for the 147th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

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Horse racing fans line the paddock area of Belmont Park before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

(Streeter Lecka / Getty Images)

By Austin KnoblauchStaff Writer

June 7, 2015 9:48 AM PT

History was made at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, and the television ratings reflect the significance of American Pharoah’s Triple Crown triumph.

According to NBC, the race, which saw American Pharoah become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, registered the third-best preliminary TV rating (12.3/27 metered market rating) for a Belmont Stakes telecast since records began in 1988.

In addition, the race posted the highest rating for a Saturday afternoon sporting event since the AFC divisional playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots on Jan. 10.

Still, the 12.3 overnight rating isn’t the best rating NBC has seen with the Belmont Stakes. Last year, the network achieved a 12.9 for California Chrome’s attempt at the Triple Crown. It is only the second time an overnight 12 rating has been achieved for the Belmont Stakes.

Ratings represent the percentage of U.S. homes with televisions tuned to a program, and overnights measure the country’s largest markets.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.