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California Chrome Loses Bid At Triple Crown

California Chrome is now the 20th horse in history to be denied the Triple Crown after winning the first two legs, and the 5th horse in the past 11 years.
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Tonalist closed strong and swept past Commissioner to win the Belmont Stakes Saturday at Belmont Park. California Chrome finished in a dead-heat for fourth, with Commissioner second and Medal Count third.

It all seemed to be in line for California Chrome. He was third in the back stretch, just as his trainer had hoped.

But, as has been the case in recent history, it wasn’t to be.

California Chrome is now the 20th horse in history to be denied the Triple Crown after winning the first two legs, and the 5th horse in the past 11 years.

After the race, California Chrome owner Steve Coburn had pointed words about the Triple Crown system, which must be noted, has never changed. In an interview with NBC, Coburn passionately argued that horses that haven’t entered either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness be disallowed from competing in the Belmont.

It may be important to note that Tonalist was derailed from the Derby trail due to a lung infection that knocked him out of the Wood Memorial.

Regardless, Coburn didn’t mince words.

“This is the coward’s way out,” Coburn said, defiantly wagging his finger.

That makes five times in eight years that the Belmont winner didn’t run in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness.

Courtesy: CBS Sports

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