Steve Coburn

It's not fair!  It's the coward's way out! Those were the sentiments, actually the exact quotes from Steve Coburn, the co-owner of California Chrome after last weekend's Belmont Stakes.  Coburn was angry.  He was bitter.  Understandably so.  His horse was denied a place in horse racing history when 'Chrome finished fourth in the Belmont, and thus, did not become the Triple Crown winner in 36 years.  It cost Coburn and 'Chrome a place in history and a lot of money.  Initially, I thought Coburn, although spitting sour grapes had a point.  His point was horses like Belmont winner Tonalist, who did not run in the other two legs of the Triple Crown have an unfair advantage in the Belmont.  Coburn said that he will never see another Triple Crown winner in his lifetime because it's not fair.  And he's right.  However, does that mean that things need to change?  I don't think so.  To me, that is what makes the horses like Secretariat and Affirmed iconic.  They won something that is very, very difficult to win.  That's why it hasn't been done in the last 36 years.  It is going to take a very special horse and a little luck to win all; three races…..and that's the way it should be.  Honestly, I thought California Chrome was that horse, but a fresh Tonalist….and two other horses finished in front of "Chrome in the longest, toughest leg of the three.  It's a bummer.  I think horse racing needs a shot in the arm and a Triple Crown winner would be just that.  But let's not change the rules just because the ultimate prize is difficult to attain.  That's why it is the ultimate prize in the Sport of Kings.