Jockey Victor Espinoza rode Conquering American Pharoah to victory after taking Getting the lead in the homestretch .

The festival has included Cause_to_be_included musicians such as Art Ensemble of Chicago , Count Basie , Booker T. & the MG 's , James Brown , Ray Charles , Ornette Coleman , Miles Davis , Dr. John , Al Green , Yusef Lateef , Taj Mahal , Maceo Parker , Sun Ra , Bonnie Raitt , Pharoah Sanders , Archie Shepp , and Cecil Taylor .

The winner was American Pharoah , who won by seven lengths with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard .

The win by American Pharoah set up an attempt Hold for the Triple Crown for the second time in two years .