OWNER'S MOUTH

California Chrome Owner Flips Over Loss

Tonalist's win spurs rant.

And he's off. California Chrome's chance at the Triple Crown may be over, but owner Steve Coburn's tirade doesn't appear to be fizzling anytime soon. On Saturday, California Chrome lost New York's Belmont Stake, finishing fourth and ending his attempt for the historic Triple Crown. Relatively unknown Tonalist won the race, helping to prolong the 36-year Triple Crown drought. After the race, California Chrome owner Steve Coburn let his anger be known loud and clear. Of Tonalist's win he said, “This is the coward’s way out,” because the horse never competed in the Preakness Stakes or the Kentucky Derby. He added “These other horses set one out and it’s not fair for the horses who are in it from day one.”