American Pharoah galloped on the eve of his Belmont Stakes run (NYRA/Chelsea Durand/Adam Coglianese Photography)

The Belmont will be contested by eight three-year-olds at the distance of 1 1/2 miles during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, and it is the highlight of an extraordinary four-day weekend of racing offering 17 graded stakes and six Grade 1 affairs alone on Saturday's card.

"Once the gates open, the weight will be off my shoulders," said Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who brought Silver Charm, Real Quiet and War Emblem to a similar date with destiny before they were defeated in the "Test of the Champion."

"All the work is done now. From here on, we'll try to relax a little," Baffert added. "We need to make sure the horse is content and continues to eat well, and to stick to the same routine. And now we need to keep people away from him."

The Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness S. (G1) winner was tucked into his stall in Barn 1 after returning from the track for a routine morning gallop under regular exercise rider Jorge Alvarez in his final public appearance before the walkover on Saturday evening.

"Today's morning gallop was the last hurdle. It was a strong gallop and he floated over the track. He looks the same as he did out on the track before the Derby and the Preakness," Baffert said. "He looked like a monster out there. I am really happy with the way he went. He's still sharp."

American Pharoah and equine pal Smokey have gained nationwide fame (NYRA/Susie Raisher/Adam Coglianese Photography)

"He's the best horse I've trained and he's my best hope for the Triple Crown," Baffert stated. "He was the champion last year and this year he has gone on and shown himself to be a superior horse. He has performed brilliantly."

Owner Ahmed Zayat is also high on the beautifully conformed bay colt. Not only is American Pharoah the picture of health, he has gained weight during the grueling Triple Crown campaign that normally wears down and lightens up a Thoroughbred.

"Look at him," said an admiring Zayat, who was on hand for the colt's morning exercise, just as he has been every morning since Baffert's contingent of Festival horses arrived from California on Tuesday afternoon. "This will be his fourth race (including victories in the Rebel S. [G2] and Arkansas Derby [G1]) in eight weeks. That usually takes a toll on a horse but he's coming in to the race the best he can be. We're coming in feeling that he has a real shot to win the Triple Crown."

Baffert concurred.

"I think I'm responsible for the (37-year) drought," he joked. "I probably should have won the Triple Crown a couple more times. This fourth time will be different because I'm much older and mellower and I know what I have to deal with so I'm not so overwhelmed.

American Pharoah received some love from Ahmed Zayat during his bath on Friday (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com)

"Frosted and Materiality are the key horses to contend with, but I can't worry about Materiality pushing us. When we're going a mile and a half, I just want a clean break," Baffert said.

After California Chrome came up short and missed the Triple Crown last year, his disgruntled owner charged that Tonalist (Tapit), the Belmont Stakes winner, got a lucky break because he and others in the field had skipped the Kentucky Derby and/or Preakness to come into the race fresh, so the rules that have remained in effect since Sir Barton became the first Triple Crown winner in 1919 ought to be revised.

In a far more sporting gesture, Zayat would have none of that. He said he holds the 11 previous winners in the highest regard and the rules should stand as written.