Tonalist’s thrilling score in the Belmont Stakes ensured that the Triple Crown drought would continue into a 37th year, as California Chrome tired in the final sixteenth of the 1 1/2-mile classic to finish in a dead heat for fourth. The colt’s win also redirected the pedigree spotlight away from the compelling tale of California Chrome’s modest origins and back to the foundation of American Thoroughbred breeding – central Kentucky – and to that industry’s most successful young stallion.
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ELMONT, N.Y. - Victor Espinoza knew early on this wasn’t going to be California Chrome’s day.
Espinoza said that California Chrome didn’t show the same energy early on in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes that he had shown in winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and he trudged home in a dead-heat for fourth with Wicked Strong, two lengths behind Tonalist in the 146th Belmont Stakes.
This wasn’t the first time the Evans family has been involved in a failed Triple Crown bid – but the view from the other side is a little bit different.
Tonalist, owned by Robert S. Evans, edged Commissioner by a head to win the Belmont Stakes on Saturday in New York, as dual classic winner California Chrome finished in a dead heat for fourth, extending the Triple Crown drought for another year.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Here are all the mutuel payoffs for the 146th Belmont Stakes:
1st – 11 – Tonalist, $20.40 win, $9.60 place, $7 show
2nd – 8 – Commissioner, $23.20 place, $13.20 show
3rd – 1 – Medal Count, $13.20 show
4th – (DEAD HEAT) 2 – California Chrome; 9 – Wicked Strong
On June 10, 1978, Affirmed thrust his head past the wire an instant ahead of Alydar in the Belmont Stakes, and in so doing became the 11th winner of America’s Triple Crown. Back then, it did not seem like such a difficult thing to do. Secretariat had dazzled when he’d turned the trick in 1973, and Seattle Slew had powered his way to a similar feat only the year before Affirmed.
Belmont Stakes Day wagering menu
A reminder that today’s epic 13-race program, the richest day of racing in North America other than Breeders’ Cup Saturday, has a first post of 11:35 a.m. Eastern, so if you’re planning on playing the 50-cent pick five with a $500,000 guaranteed pool that starts with race 1, rise and shine.
California Chrome and his challengers face an extreme test of endurance in the Belmont Stakes, and so do their fans. The nightcap – and we do mean nightcap – is scheduled for 8:12 p.m.
There are three pick four wagers:
It’s about 5:30 a.m. the morning of the Belmont Stakes, and dual classic winner California Chrome is sauntering down the horsepath under the trees, ears pricked, seemingly unperturbed by the handful of press and well-wishers here to get one final look the morning of the most significant test of his young life. Exercise rider Willie Delgado pats the colt on the neck, then throws a thumbs-up to the rider of a passing horse who hollers a good luck wish to the horse looking to end 36 years of crushed hopes if he can sweep the Triple Crown later today.
ELMONT, N.Y. – After a light amount of advance wagering reported Friday by the New York Racing Association, California Chrome is the heavy favorite for the 146th Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
With $64,458 in the win pool, most of it ontrack, California Chrome is the 1-2 choice, followed by Commanding Curve (6-1), Wicked Strong (8-1), Ride On Curlin (11-1), and Tonalist (13-1).
The horses entered in the four races at Belmont Park on Saturday with purses of $1 million or more, including the Belmont Stakes, all tested negative for illegal substances in pre-race out-of-competition tests, according to Dr. Scott Palmer, the equine medical director of the New York Gaming Commission.
Perhaps you are a “Chromie,” one of California Chrome’s diehard fans, or maybe you just want to bet on Triple Crown history being made if California Chrome wins the Belmont Stakes. Whether it is either of those reasons or another, you just can’t bring yourself to bet against California Chrome in the Belmont, even knowing that he is 3-5 odds on the morning line.