California Chrome Shines Bright Following Belmont Stakes Loss

The 146th running of the Belmont Stakes ended on an upsetting note for California Chrome fans hoping to witness the star colt become the first Triple Crown winner in 36-years since Affirmed last won in 1978. With 10 other horses entered to challenge, it was going to be a grueling run and the California bred colt was up against some well rested competition. Still, some 102,000 spectators packed into Belmont Park wearing green and purple, sporting nasal strips and holding a variety of “Go Chrome” signs to support the little chestnut on his 1-1/2 mile run.

Post time was at 6:54pm and the grandstands were soon filled and buzzing with hope. The track-side apron area was impossible to squeeze into and on the upper levels people standing behind the crowd desperately flipped over anything they could get their hands on just to climb on top and see the track. Ladies were sitting atop the shoulders of gentlemen and some folks even managed to climb up columns like spider-monkeys eager to get a glimpse of history. Short and simple: This was all for California Chrome.

Approximately 2-1/2 minutes after the horses broke from the starting gate California Chrome had been outrun 1-3/4 lengths by Tonalist (1st), Commissioner (2nd), Medal Count (3rd) and had crossed the wire in a dead heat for 4th with Wicked Strong. Disconsolation resonated throughout Belmont Park as reality sunk in – America’s horse had been denied a Triple Crown Victory.

Just five minutes following the race, thousands of people headed for the exits and the large crowd quickly dwindled down, leaving 2/3’s of the grandstand vacant. Those that stayed silently looked out onto the track trying to fathom the loss, while others sat and wept in their seats. If you were at Belmont Park, it’s a feeling you will most likely never forget.

Tonalist ran a great race, but the attention remained on California Chrome and his team. Why? It’s called the sport of kings for a reason and a rags to riches story like this is essentially unheard of in this high barrier, wealth governed industry.

Every year thousands of thoroughbreds are bred with outstanding bloodlines and sold at auctions with price tags in the high 5 – 6 figures, sometimes even reaching 7-figures. Yet, California Chrome cost $10,500, had “poor” bloodlines, and industry pros assured he would never be a winning horse. His owners, Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, both hard working men – outsiders to the racing industry – with ordinary families, chasing a not so ordinary dream. 77-year-old Art Sherman had never trained a winning horse and was said to be too old by industry standards.

3-years later California Chrome and his team of industry “misfits” turned their dream into reality achieving what an entire industry had deemed impossible; Winning the first 2 legs of the Triple Crown and going into the Belmont Stakes – the final leg of the Triple Crown – as the heavy favorite. In all essence their story won the hearts of Americans because they didn’t represent the billionaires. They represented the people. They represented the underdogs. They represented what this very nation was built on – courage, imagination, and unbeatable determination to accomplish the impossible.

He may not have won the Triple Crown, but California Chrome will forever shine bright in our hearts.

By: Claudia Lorena