All eyes where on California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) on weather or not he could win the Belmont Stakes and finally become the 12th Triple Crown winnner. However somebody forgot to tell Tonalist that he would be the spoiler that would hand California Chrome his first loss in 7 starts. The son of Tapit out of the Pleasant Colony mare Setting Mist held of Commissioner (the final son of A.P Indy to run in the Triple Crown) to win the Belmont. Medal Count (Dynaformer) was third. California Chrome dead-heated for fourth with Wicked Strong (Hard Spun).
It was the first Belmont win for his jockey Joel Rosario (who jumped off Preakness runner up Ride On Curlin), trainer Christophe Clement (whose best known dirt horse before Tonalist was Dynver) and owner Robert Evans (the son of Thomas and brother of Ned, both where horse racing owners (Paul had Pleasant Colony (who of course is Tonalist's grandpa) and Ned's most famous horse owning was Quality Road, but is the breeder of Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado) whose most famous foal I will be talking about shortly).
Even though Tapit like Lucky Pulpit is a son of Pulpit (A.P. Indy), Tonalist's female family is much better than Chrome's. His second dam Toll Fee of two mares who are the dams of G1 winner Riskaverse (Dynaformer) and G1 winner, boy beater, as well as 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam).
Here are some thoughts:
- Steve Coburn= sore loser; People might say he was drunk (which is wrong when you know you are doing a television interview) or it was the heat of the moment type of thing, but to throw the three horses who beat you fair and square and their owners under bus by calling them cowards for skipping the Preakness (or in the case of the first two both the Derby and Preakness) is disgusting. Mr. Coburn should know that 3 of the 5 TC spoilers in the last 12 years skipped the first two legs (Sarava, Da' Tara and now Tonalist). What was a great story turned many people off, although I wasn't a big fan any respect that I had left is now gone. Changing the Triple Crown isn't going to happen at this time.
- That being said, Chrome did get stepped on by Matterhorn at the start. You could say that the latter is Pavo to Chrome's Rockport Harbor. (watch the 2004 Remsen to understand)
- I'm so glad Mr. Evans was classy enough to say no comment about Mr. Coburn's comments. I hope people don't start hating Christophe or Joel as they where just doing their jobs. Joel even said that he was rooting for Chrome to win.
- Hope Ride On Curlin and Matuszak who where DNF's in the race are okay.
- Sure he didn't hit the top three, but so happy that Wicked Strong ran well in both the Derby and the Belmont.
- You gotta feel bad for FL Derby winner Commissioner. His prep race for that was an allowance which he won. The runner up was Tonalist and 4th placer was Wicked Strong. Injuries suck sometimes.
- It's a shame that A.P. Indy never had a foal win a Derby, but in a way he got the TC with his great-grandsons. I'm sure he is proud of both Chrome and Tonalist. Plus his son was runner up!
- Pulpit we miss you!
- Tapit had been enigma as an sire with brillant foals, but super injury proness. Tonalist could change that (he missed the Derby due to missing his final prep due to illness, not injury). Gainesway has to be extra proud that not only do they stand him, but another member of his TC class, Belmont winner Birdstone.
- Joel Rosario was thrown under the bus by Ride On Curlin's trainer after he jumped ship. Okay throw Calvin Borel (who didn't give him a Calvin ride in the Derby) under, but Joel and not him has the Belmont win.
- Funny story, NBC had shown a replay of the 2008 400 Men's Free Relay which was Gold Medal #2 for Michael Phelps (who attended his hometown race the Preakness this year, a day after he won his first race in his comeback). The US had beaten France that day, Christophe is a native to... France. So Viva La France!
- To sum up this year's Triple Crown, I there isn't really one way that I can do so. It's weird to say that, but I wasn't a huge California Chrome fan. However I feel that despite his owner he is this generation's Funny Cide and Smarty Jones. My sister who I know doesn't like horse racing was the first person to ask me weather he won or not. That is something that I had never expected to happen at all. I'm sure there are people who will have simlar stories to me, but could be very different than that.
Some other thoughts on the undercard:
- Beholder might be the female Lava Man in that she hates running outside of CA. (Read the Phipps recap here)
- Palace Malice is the leader in the HOY talk (Read the Met Mile recap here)
- Smart move to keep Kid Cruz out of the Belmont as he won the Easy Goer. Could be a serious contender in the Jim Dandy. Social Inclusion who also would have been Belmont bound was second in the Woody Stephens which was won by Bayern.
- I think it's time for Stephanie's Kitten to retire after she really never fired in the Just a Game.
- Sweet Reason had come back with a win! Atta girl.
So that's it! I will be back with a few announcements in the next few days or so. Till then!
