Barnyard Buddies Curl Up at Belmont

Photo Strong Impact with his loyal stall companion, Charlie the pig, at Belmont Park. Animal pals are often used to help soothe nervy thoroughbreds. Credit Victor J. Blue for The New York Times People watching American Pharoah take his exercise at Belmont Park on Thursday morning could not help noticing that he had a friend with him. It happened to be a 6-year-old gelding named Smokey, who has been serving as general companion and calmer-of-nerves for American Pharoah during the horse’s potentially stress-filled attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

“He’s a sweetheart,” said Bob Baffert, American Pharoah’s trainer, who took time out from a pre-race news conference…