Today, Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) sent a letter to President Barack Obama, asking the White House to hold an official ceremony honoring American Pharoah and the team that guided him on his historic Triple Crown run this year. The letter reads, in part:

“Welcoming athletes who have reached the pinnacle of their sport to the White House is a time-honored tradition. As the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, honoring American Pharoah and the team that helped lead him to victory at a White House ceremony would continue this tradition and would celebrate the lasting cultural and economic impact horseracing has had across the country.”

American Pharoah was the first competitor in 37 years to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, comprised of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes races. The colt is only the 12^th U.S. Triple Crown winner in the sport’s history.

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