NEW YORK — Bob Baffert and the rest of the group in charge of American Pharoah could smile and laugh Wednesday after the Triple Crown hopeful landed in the No. 5 post position for the 147th Belmont Stakes.

American Pharoah was made the early 3-5 favorite to win the Belmont and become horse racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 37 years.

His post was the second one revealed during the outdoor draw at Rockefeller Center, leaving little waiting time for Baffert & Co. With an eight-horse field set to run a grueling 1 1/2 miles on Saturday, post position matters little, unlike in the 20-horse Kentucky Derby.

Fourteen horses have won from the No. 5 post, including 1977 Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew.

“I’ve always liked the five. It’s a number I always do well with,” Baffert said. “More important is the horse is doing well.”

The colt took his first steps on the dirt at Belmont Park earlier in the day, jogging counterclockwise a day after arriving in New York.

“He went the wrong way, so he really didn’t learn a lot,” said Baffert, who is taking his fourth shot at one of the sporting world’s toughest feats.

Owner Ahmed Zayat bubbled over with his usual enthusiasm.

“I’m confident in the ability of American Pharoah because the horse is giving me that confidence. I’m not arrogant about it,” he said. “The horse looks very healthy and happy. We’re going in with no excuses.”

Jockey Victor Espinoza will be taking his record third shot at winning the Triple Crown, having lost last year when California Chrome finished fourth in the Belmont.

“I’m feeling lucky this year,” he said. “Third time is a charm.”

The field is the smallest for a Triple try since six horses ran in 2003, when Funny Cide lost his Triple Crown bid. Two Triple Crown winners, Citation in 1948 and Seattle Slew in 1977, also ran in eight-horse fields.

Frosted drew the No. 6 post and was installed as the 5-1 second choice. Frosted finished fourth in the Derby.