California Chrome's Triple Crown quest collapses

AP

ELMONT -- Tonalist sprinted across the finish line first Saturday at the Belmont Stakes, spoiling California Chrome's bid to win the first Triple Crown in 36 years.

California Chrome finished far back in a tie for fourth. The result means the longest drought without a Triple Crown champion in history will be extended.

California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza lost the 1 1/2-mile race on a hot day at Belmont Park, where tens of thousands of fans were packed in hoping to see history. It was not to be, leaving Affirmed as the most recent Triple Crown winner in 1978.

"I thought he was gaining ground, but he didn't have it in him, apparently," co-owner Steve Coburn said immediately after the race. He complained that some of the horses sat out some races, and were entered just to knock out California Chrome. "It's all or nothing. This is not fair to these horses and to the people that believe in them. This is the coward's way out."

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