Tonalist - 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1)

The Triple Crown went unclaimed for a 36th year as Tonalist captured the 146th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park by a head over Commissioner, with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome finishing in a dead-heat for fourth in the "Test of the Champion."

[@epipd5712]

Congrats to the California Chrome owners, trainer and the jockey. CC has touched the heart of so many people. He won Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, quite a success story in that alone. Also, congrats to the Tonalist owners and trainers and the win.

[@nbafanatic23]

Once again, an iconic call by Tom Durkin in his 24th and final Belmont Stakes. Thanks for all the memories, Tom!

[@rodd7]

Are you sure about that? He lost Medal Count's position at the end

[@thomashong2938]

He made a huuuuge mistake not waiting for his 25th Belmont Stakes to hand in his retirement papers.

[@budbowl77]

My father his last full year on this earth who was an amazing long shot player made this choice that day. I left Belmont with a pocket full of money thanks to him. God rest your soul dad. I love and miss you.

[@TheFrozenPines]

I wanted so badly for this horse to win. It was all such a Disney-like story up until then. But I can't believe he did even as well as he did with a huge chunk out of his right front hoof. This horse is a fighter and a true champion.

[@tim80110]

"Tonalist settles into a strong and powerful position... he's 3'rd." (at 1:10 marker). The track announcer was seeing into the future with that call.

[@MrTrackman100]

Yes. Excellent call.

[@smokeglacken]

Terrific Belmont and Belmont Stakes Day!!! I was there and had an amazing time at Belmont Park! Looking forward to the remainder of the meet before the horses head north to Saratoga Springs for the summer!

[@gregneal2683]

Thank you Tonalist for letting me cash this ticket! Easy money

[@reverberate79]

Great call by Tom Durkin. what a way to go out

[@thomashong2938]

If only he hadn’t decided to retire early. His NYRA contract didn’t run out until after 2015. He missed out on calling American Pharoah winning that year’s Belmont, snapping the 37 year drought and becoming the 12th Triple Crown champion.

[@Rimfaxe96]

And this is why the Triple Crown is that exclusive; the horse is being tested by its ability and heart. There are few horses that good out there, but even fewer is the number of horses made of the stuff TC winners are bred and born. Nonetheless I hope CC's story will put some sense into the heads of thoroughbred breeders. CC didn't need a high-prized pedigree to win, he was carefully trained as well. Breed the horses not only to lightness just because you can always glue the hooves together, that kind of thinking won't get you a Triple Crown winner at all. But, I can wait. I don't expect to ever see anything near Secretariat anyway, but we'll have another.

[@JOHN----DOE]

Chrome's stride was short throughout the race. Probably that injury did cause him to lose. Kudoes 'cause he tried hard anyway.

[@macydog15]

I will always be a fan of CC, he has an amazing story and I will always be cheering for him.

[@sunshinewarcraft]

I am so sick of people siding with the owner's ideas of "not allowing fresh horses in the preakness or belmont." Does ANYONE forget the previous ELVEN triple crown winners we have had have faced this? Affirmed, Seattle Slew, SECRETARIAT as the recent winners from the late '70's. Sorry, but to say that, THAT is the 'coward's way out', your horse got beat but not by much. It's horse racing for a reason.

[@tizfrreecharm]

Yeah, and all 11 had at least two races over the Belmont strip BEFORE the Belmont Stakes. An anachronous race at an anachronous track, that's all.

[@NoDiscernableDirection]

FWIW - When you examine all the pictures showing the break, you can see Matterhorn veering left on a long rein uncontrolled and stepping on Chrome's right heel. You try to run on a sliced heel. There are many pictures showing each second of the break and from a layman's eye..it sure looks like the Eclipse Tbred Partners horse was to sent up to this race to give Chrome trouble since he was obv outclassed and didn't belong in the race...and I'm sure ALOT of important people did not want a homegrown to win the TC. Just my thoughts. No matter - he's still the champion. Just denied the TC by unscrupulous tactics.

[@thomashong2938]

Champion and 2023 inductee in the Hall of Fame.

[@WhiteCamry]

Betcha didn't know that Commissioner's 10f split was 2:02.43. That puts him six lengths ahead of California Chrome's 2:03.66 for the Derby.

[@johncarpenter4585]

Precisely. For the first time in his career California had to try to blow by horses that wouldn't spit the bit if they were allowed to get first run on him in 1:37 and change and he couldn't do it. If this horse ever wins another 1 1/4 mile race again he will need the same set up he had in the Santa Anita Derby, the Derby, and Preakness: two cheap-speed pacesetters that can't carry Grade 1 speed further than a mile. Art Sherman is thinking the Pacific Classic and B.C. Classic and in both races he's going to have to put away two or three opponents who can easily hang in if let loose on the lead in 1:36. His window of opportunity closed. He's just one more three year old that won the Derby and Preakness but couldn't seal the deal in New York.

[@samuelperezgarcia]

Except that those times were made on different tracks, with different curves, and different conditions.

[@theauthorparrishgore591]

We will see another triple crown winner, the time is nearing. But it will not be an average race horse, not a good race horse or even a great race horse, it will be another superhorse, another Secretariat! Ok, enough of the dramatics, but I can dream can't I.

[@josephhale9198]

You called it

[@skers1011]

That's why the triple crown is so prestigious .

[@fourier07able]

And in UK there is not Triple Crowned since 1970 (Nijinsky by Northern Dancer).

[@guitarlegend32]

Pedro Fernandez As only one horse has tried it's hardly surprising.

[@manuraiders]

Considering this was Tonalists 5th or 6th lifetime start he was an amazon. Agreed he didn't run in the Derby because he was ill, or would have run in the Wood and then had enough points to run in the Derby. So with one of the most brillant trainers at the helm, why risk it. Watch the Peter Pan stakes and watch Tonalist destroy a decent field and it just so happens the horses that ran 1-2 in the Peter Pan, ran 1-2 in the Belmont. Well done Christophe.

[@AQHObsessed]

have you not realized that Chrome ran a mile and a half, finished 4th, 2 lengths off the lead all on an injured foot?! He's certainly special!!

[@qhsperson]

Charismatic finished third on a broken leg. Special, yes. Just not one of the Greats.

[@ashmule2805]

Charismatic broke his leg in the stretch. He probably ran less than 1/4 mile on it while Chrome ran 12f on his bad foot.

[@DannyLopez00969]

qhsperson And just how are you judging the greats?

[@qhsperson]

Ash Mule Seriously? A bad foot is worse than a leg broken in two places?

[@DannyLopez00969]

qhsperson Whether comparable or not, it doesn't really matter; both demonstrated courage and heart. The point is what would have happened if CC and Charismatic were completely healthy? But we cannot draw a conclusion that CC wasn't a great horse because he finished fourth at Belmont. By the way, both were probably equally deserving of the triple crown and were great horses.

[@clarkedandre]

Tonalist was my favorite horse EVER. I also won some good money when he ran!

[@htbud11]

I bet tonelist to win, and was still rooting for C.C. in the stretch..

[@sirCULTURE]

I feel Espinoza should have prodded California Chrome on when he became aware of very slow pace... you can't expect the horse to do everything. There no excuse falling that far back off the pace. I don't buy it that the horse didn't have it in him like Espinoza leads on... if that was the case the horse would never have made a late bid at all. It was an ERRATIC ride, not that the horse didn't have any gas in his tank.

[@bruceonmsn]

I agree . Should have let him go when willing and let the field play catch up. IF THEY COULD.... Good run Chrome.

[@sirCULTURE]

I figured I'd get hammered for my comment, glad to know I'm not the only one out there that noticed this Bruce.

[@pennyondime95]

Correct! If he lets CALIFORNIA CHROME stay on the rail and let it runs like winning color he might finish it. WIRE TO WIRE... then the TRIPLE CROWN WINNER too.

[@KimNswati]

Sometimes you have to look at someone making sense rather than troll and abuse......A lot was on the line and Espinoza should have brought everything out of CC

[@1440woody]

Kim Nswati CC had every opportunity the length of the stretch not good enough on the day. Conversely, if Victor puts the horse on the lead and he falters you all would he should have taken him back. No win situation.

[@Kimberlytheresam]

Wow secretariat didnt have a rest between races!!! He kicked ass...stop making excuses. Obviously the horse wasnt worthy of the triple crown

[@DannyLopez00969]

Secretariat was a freak of nature and no horse can really compare to him. CC was worthy of the triple crown, he was running with a bloody gash to his right hoof for 12 F's yet still came in fourth which just goes to show his bravery and courage. Read more on BloodHorse.com: www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85585/chrome-co-owner-has-no-regrets-for-comments#ixzz344IqZxHJ

[@KimNswati]

I agree with you......excuses when the favorite does not win

[@jesserucker9174]

Exactly!! finally, a girl with some insight!

[@epipd5712]

Danny Lopez You are so right on that Danny. California Chrome's ancestors were Seattle Slew and Secretariat. I thought California Chrome was the best horse to win in any of the races this year. Really bad he hurt his foot in Belmont. He sure touched a lot of hearts this year, though. A brave majestic horse is what he is.

[@brucerobbins6227]

kim Secretariat lovers had all bunches of excuses for him when he lost 3 races as a sophomore. Bill Nack: "Great horses don't need excuses." Timi Tam broke all the bones in his foot in the Belmont, but still finished second. War Admiral had a huge gash in his foot and was bleeding all over the place and got blood on his jockey, but still won the Belmont in record time. CC didn't run his kind of race. Perhaps Espinoza should have taken him to the fron earlier. Perhaps CC didn't like running 4 horses wide, like some of h is opponents had to. Count Fleet was also hurt in the Belmont and was never raced again. But still won. If the horse was that sore, Espinoza would have pulled him up. As Ken Dorsameaux said about Big Brown, :"Hear me roar, he was not sure." But when he asked for more speed, BB slowed down. "I had no horse." Then Ken eased him up. CC was running pretty good, he just couldn't catch the leaders.

[@Wolfsbane909]

Damn it "General A rod" @ 34-1, I was crazy enough to had it for place and show! ran outta gas right the final mile...WTF

[@billyguerra3788]

In what order the Horses came?

[@TheFrozenPines]

One of the most disappointing things I had ever witnessed in my life. But nonetheless, the horse will always be a true champion and Americas Horse. #ChromieForLife

[@pennyondime95]

REAL QUIET beat by a a NOSE for a TRIPLE CROWN and still a NIGHTMARE for the OWNER/TRAINER and Jockey KENT DESORMOUX..:)

[@qhsperson]

pennyondime95 That one broke my heart. I loved Real Quiet, and it was just so close.

[@brucerobbins6227]

pennyondime95 yeah, that was probably the closest TC loss ever....but I love to watch Victory Gallop come from nowhere, and watch how FAST he catches up with Real Quiet....has anybody timed his last 1/4 mile?

[@johncarpenter4585]

He hasn't been anointed a champion of anything yet and "America's Horse". We'll see about that.

[@kevingreen5793]

Tom Durkin never got to call a Triple Crown :( and sure enough one year after he retired American Pharoah does it!

[@thomashong2938]

He retired in 2014 after 24 years with NYRA, with at least one year left in his contract. Had he not done that, he would have been in the track announcer’s booth for the 2015 race. After seeing 9 Triple Crown contenders fail to get it done, he would have witnessed the 10th ending the long 37 year drought. One can just imagine the consternation he must have felt watching American Pharoah cross the finish line as a Triple Crown winner in Larry Collmus’ first year as NYRA track announcer.

[@williamdunphy352]

Tom Durkin's last Belmont Stakes.

[@thomashong2938]

It shouldn’t have been. He had at least one year left in his NYRA contract when he retired in 2014. He missed out on what would have been the climactic moment in his announcing career, calling the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years after witnessing from the booth 9 other horses failing to get it done in the 24 years that he was the Belmont Stakes track announcer.

[@russellchavous8725]

Chrome should have stayed where he was at until he got around the far turn, Metal Count did and finished 3rd, might have lost anyway but it would have been a lot closer

[@maryanderson7616]

That was a great horse that should have won. Now we have to wait longer for a triple crown winner to come along.

[@Straitsfan]

In order for the triple crown to mean something you have to be able to beat whoever they throw at you; other horses have done it in the past; that's what makes it mean something. No need to change the rules. The guy should stop complaining; no one complained when other horses didn't want.

[@Its_Joeeee]

Man bring Trevor Denman to do the triple crown races

[@jaredrogers9390]

Good times , got the extra , triple , superfecta , pick 3 and pick 4 ,had to hire a taxi to take me home

[@paulinewahlquist7966]

I think that California Chrome's owner is correct. Only Wicked Strong ran in the Kentucky Derby with Chrome. The first three horses had not run in the Derby or the Preakness so they were fresh horses. An athlete can't just show up for the Olympics and decide to compete. They have to earn the right to compete. Seems like that would be a reasonable thing to consider. California Chrome is still an awesome horse. I hope that he has a long, happy and healthy future.

[@manuraiders]

Tonalist was sick so he could not enter the Wood Memorial where he probably would have won and had enough points to get into the Derby , however having one of the best trainers why risk it and he ran in the Peter Pan stakes a week after the Preakness and obliterated a decent field. In my opinion, Chrome will never beat Tonalist again if he ever shows up to race against him.

[@juanduluozdelacruz5235]

First was the problem at the start, maybe the distance was a little long for him and even it´s more distance if he comes from the outside, the jockey had to be patient and try it by the fence, but we aren´t alowed to criticism him, it´s a decision he takes in a moment under pression, everyone can have a mistake. Sorry for California, the breeders awaits for him. And forgive my english, it´s not my language.

[@jimmypeters7824]

Agree with you as had a small wager on the winner. Learn from past to always bet a fresh horse.

[@duquettebeats6312]

That's gonna be blended citizen passing justify this Saturday! No matter how rabbits d Wayne an baffert run he's gonna lose. Goooo blended citizen an gronk 🥇🏇🏇💵😁

[@OfficialMuffiin]

Well this comment aged well

[@thomashong2938]

So…how much money did you lose when Blended Citizen finished in 9th place in a 10 horse field and 51 and 3/4 lengths behind the winner Justify?

[@kameerawinters4651]

Chrome got well polished off by The Tonalist just like that. He was all the hype but fell alot short of the ability. Most likely a total triple crown winner b4 2017. NEEEXTTT?

[@frankantonio4394]

He was not all hype. While he did not pull of the Triple Crown, winning the Derby and the Preakness is no small feat. Still an valiant effort!

[@kameerawinters4651]

Ive seen much better triple crown contenders. Owner was too confident in the ability of the horse plus horse had a hidden weakness anyway. Glad I chose otherwise and made off with profitable exacta.

[@kameerawinters4651]

Hats off to All Jockeys that completed race with no spills or injuries. Get well wishes Alvarado who suffered bruised shoulder and conclusion from a nasty spill at Santa Anita.

[@Alecramsay-vn1vg]

He ran great considering the piece of hoof he got pulled off by Matterhorn at the start

[@frankantonio4394]

kameera winters What is that hidden weakness?

[@angelsifontes6584]

tenian que exigirlo desde el comienzo y asi hubiera sido otra competencia

[@donreed7018]

This is INFURIATING! While those of us at home had to listen to Larry Colmus BELLOWING like a jackass with a high-pitched voice into the mike when absolutely nothing had to be added to make the race anything more dramatic than it already was --- At the same time, NBC didn't have NYRA's feed with its superior, clear, and instant identification of who was leading in the stretch! What, was Johnny Weir running the NBC audio/vision?

[@samuelperezgarcia]

In my opinion Espinoza should have gunned for the lead, since he had the rail and the fastest horse, but after that hoof incident at the start it was an uphill battle. The media compounded it by making CC look far better than he really was. Fresh horses or not, this wasn't that great of a three year old crop.

[@manuraiders]

Tonalist by the end of his career will be a great horse!!!!!

[@samuelperezgarcia]

Billy Brownstar I read somewhere that Chrome will race next year as well.

[@bob2376]

You Wonder Here?..you see CALIF: had an early opening to "JET" off, clear sail down the run way, yet his reins tight? Why was our "BOY" HELD back..wasn't it odd? Joke is on us!

[@jimmypeters7824]

Do not think California Chrome is as good as media made it look. Just look at who his compition was in all 3 races. However asking a horse to run this much in such a short time, is a heavy load. When u look at the real results though. Only lost by a length.

[@johncarpenter4585]

First, it may turn out that his competition in the Belmont, at least the first two, are considerably better than you think. Tonalist is a beast. He was at least five wide on the first turn while California Chrome skimmed the rail and four wide in the second turn while Commissioner was on the rail the entire time. Tonalist's victory was considerably more impressive than it appears. California Chrome's "length" loss, given how much ground Tonalist surrendered to him was mor on the order of four or five lengths. Something fans like you don't get is that after rrunning this race, Tonalist was given a bath and spent about a half hour grazing, and still was alert and playful in his stall. The race took very little out of him. THAT is the mark of an extraordinary colt. Most thoroughbreds don't care much about eating after a race. I really don't get how California Chrome's fans are still trying too sell the "three races in such a short time" excuse when Silver Charm and Real Quiet faced the same challenge and ran better races. I never Baffert, Charlie Whittingham, or Jack Van Berg complain--or the fans of Alysheba, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, or Sunday Silence--about the time between the three races. This has been an unprecedented outburst pf excusitis I've never heard before when a horse failed to win the Triple Crown--and this goes back to Northern Dancer, Pleasant Colony, Funny Cide, Majestic Prince and others. It's a mirror of the state of American society and the entitlement many people feel due them.

[@qhsperson]

John Carpenter The way I see it, it's the once-a-year racing "fans" who are more than happy to forget about racing the rest of the time. I employ the Dr. Fager test. If they say, "Who?," then I write them off.

[@johncarpenter4585]

qhsperson Have you ever been to Belmont the day AFTER the race? It's a ghost town--like it was the day before and the day before that. I just don't get it. What is it about seeing a Triple Crown winner that fires people up who don't regularly engage in the sport the other 364 days of the year? I suppose it's a phenomenon lkie the Super Bowl. Every year tens of millions of people whose face would glaze over if you asked them "Who was Joe Namath?" throw Super Bowl parties.

[@bearinpinkk5072]

What a call

[@kevin711ks]

I had $500 on #8 horse. Couldn't sleep for 2 months

[@Jaydeee04]

People do you think there will be another TRIPLE CROWN CHAMPION???

[@brucerobbins6227]

No....I'd be surprised if there were. Horses are today trained to run no more than one and a quarter miles. They do not have the stamina and endurance of horses of 50 years ago. It has nothing to do with skipping races, it has to do with breeding and training. The Jockey Club Gold Cup was 2 miles when Citation and Kelso ran it. It was reduced to 1-1/2 miles in the 1970's. Now, it is only 1-1/4 miles. I think we might see Double Crown winners, but no more Triple Crown winners....I hope I'm wrong!!!

[@pennyondime95]

SURE! wait for my HORSE to run in KENTUCKY DERBY! lol

[@YeahDogFan23]

Yes, a girl riding a zebra in her mom's silks.

[@ashmule2805]

Look up Calidoscopio and tell me his kids and grandkids won't love 10-12f. That horse is the future of the Triple Crown. He raced and won from age 2-10, winning the Brooklyn at 12f as a 10yo.

[@Jaydeee04]

Bruce Robbins you prove me right, its really frustrating for the people who love the sport like me. I hope some owners and trainers should realize this..

[@_TMac]

WHY DIDNT 3 WIN!

[@laurensharkcry]

Tonalist is an amazing horse but Commissioner is also extremely nice. He held a good position near the front for the majority of the race. Personally glad California Chrome didn't win, just didn't feel like he was the next horse who should win the TC

[@MrTrackman100]

No excuse. Good ride but CC just could not handle the distance. Breeding? Not rested? Who knows. That's why they have the race.

[@kennethmalone8104]

Tapit 👍👍

[@pennyondime95]

CALIFORNIA CHROME should win wire to wire if the jockey victor let's the horse RUN in the RAIL. my 2c.

[@agustins16]

Tenía que correr a California chrome adelante!

[@fourier07able]

I agree . As a descendant of A.P. Indy I thought California Chrome had a bit more of stamina. What a pity!

[@Jaydeee04]

Pedro Fernandez your such a boy scout. you didn't know what really happen to him. He sustained a superficial cut along his tendon and a more serious injury to his right front quarter when Belmont rival Matterhorn clipped his heel coming out of the gate in the race won by Tonalist Read more on BloodHorse.com: www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85585/chrome-co-owner-has-no-regrets-for-comments#ixzz344IqZxHJ

[@johncarpenter4585]

John Carpenter refusal to accept the obvious...

[@samuelperezgarcia]

John Carpenter you replied to yourself? xD

[@evansturtecky6952]

California Chrome should have won

[@thomashong2938]

Hard to win when another horse steps on your heel coming out of the gate.

[@jimmypeters7824]

Yes whatever. Bet you did not have the winner or the second place. I did.

[@barretttoups6496]

Thanks to Tonalist for allowing me to take my family out to a nice dinner that night. Thanks to all you idiots for purchasing your wannabe souvenir tickets which made all the other horses go for a better price. Here's a lesson for all you fair weather horse racing fans: Never bet on an even money horse in an 11-horse field.

[@jimmypeters7824]

Owner of California Chrome is right. Not run your horse in other 2 races then should not be able to run here. With these rules in place. You may never see another Triple Crown winner ever.

[@brucerobbins6227]

Stop! The owner was a crybaby, sore loser. Do you think CC was the first horse to run against horses who hadn't raced in all 3 races? My favorite, Citation, ran against new rested horses in all his races. And won easily. It was a field of mediocre horses that CC had beat in the Derby and Preakness. If he was a true champ he would have won the Belmont also....actually, he only lost by a length, but only wins by a length also. Coming in tied for 4th...don't blame Espinoza..

[@albertonegron4606]

Bruce Robbins You're right the owner is a crybaby, another thing: Cal Chrome was not that good of a horse, look at the fractionals, too slow of a pace, for Christ sake Commissioner was leading most of the time, WTF!, Cal Chrome rider did everything in his power to loose this race, that alone raises some eyebrows, you guys figure out the rest.......

[@jesserucker9174]

can't change the rules now. that's the way it is.

[@jkrank4681]

California Chrome wasn't worthy of the Triple Crown. Belmont is where horses prove their worth of that prestigious honor. There is only one horse that I've witnessed in the last 15 years of horse racing that was worthy of the Triple Crown, but had a bad showing at the Derby. That horse was Point Given. A monster horse at 17 hands that totally crushed everyone at Belmont running the 4th fastest time ever.

[@epipd5712]

Cant Contend Come on, what you mean he was not worthy? He had a hurt foot while he was running the race. So you witnessed a horse you feel was worthy of a triple crown. Well many people feel California Chrome was worthy of a triple crown. So your point?

[@JSC112095]

One worse ride on a favorite that was the speed and the horse being held down backside and going wide on turns did not help as he ran more than a mile and a half. The owners comment was wrong as he was the best horse just a horrible ride. smarty jones all over but worse.

[@pennyondime95]

Totally agree with you. CALIFORNIA CHROME should win WIRE to WIRE! Victor ESPINOZA made a BIG MISTAKE holding to much energy of CC.

[@johncarpenter4585]

You're high. California Chrome was on the rail into the first turn and almost to the far turn. Tonalist was six wide into the first turn and three wide into the second turn. Lengths lost off the rail: Eight; Califonia Chrome: at best, five. But since Belmont's turns are 2 furlongs and not one, Tonalist lost even more groiund than that. CC's 1 1/2 length loss was an illusion. Given his rail skimming ride until the far turn Tonalist's real advantage was more like four lengths. Here's my next prediction: California Chrome will not be a factor in ANY of the major races this year. Art Sherman has already decided to pass on the Pacific Classic because it's only two months away.

[@princed5870]

the track maybe to long.

[@thomashong2938]

Not too long for American Pharoah.

[@ericday4505]

Very good race I still say that the belmont is too long and I agree with the post race comments of the owner the guy was mad and he could clearly see what all of america could see the people in elmont NY dont want to see a tripple crown winner unless in comes from that fraud of a state, poeytic justice would be the kings beating the Rangers.

[@qhsperson]

The Belmont, at its current length, is a fitting crown for a horse that's enough of a champion to win all three races. And for people with a background in racing, its really the most prestigious of the three races regardless of media hype over the Derby. You're also wrong about what New Yorkers want, since very few NY-breds reach this level. Perhaps you should look into the difference in track surfaces; maybe then you'll understand a bit more of why speedy California horses don't do so well in NY.

[@johncarpenter4585]

The Belmont isn't too long; California Chrome just wasn't up to it and no matter how you try to spin it, that is the bottom line. And for what it's worth, "All America" did not clearly see what you claim he did and you believe to be the case. I thought the owner's rant was off-the-charts stupid. Your suggestion "the people in Elmont" only want to see a New York horse win is the most assanine thing I've heard since CC spit the bit--and that is an incredible accomplishment considering all the stupid things his fans have said to date.

[@zcourtney90]

Jockey error from hell.. who takes a horse that far to the outside so early??? Lets face it, Espinoza is scared of the rail!!!

[@manuraiders]

Tonalist never saw the inside either, and at one point was 3-4 wide in the first 1/4 mile, plus Chrome got a bruise leaving the gate, Don't think you can fault Espinoza that much as he could have been boxed in as well but on this day Tonalist was just the better horse. Tonalist by the end of the year will be the best 3year old male.

[@zcourtney90]

manuraiders it doesn't matter what tonalist did. Tonalist was fresh, chrome wasn't. So in that case you want to save the most ground you can. Put Calvin boRAIL on chrome that day and we would have a triple crown winner.

[@manuraiders]

zcourtney90 Im not a chrome hater but I know the Clement family from coaching their daughter in soccer and stayed in touch. That day it didnt matter who rode chrome, Tonalist was going to win and did.