California Chrome’s owner, Steve Coburn, had a few choice, and heated, words to say about the structure of the Triple Crown as it affected the outcome of the Belmont Stakes, and the stacked odds against his, or any other horses, chances of ever winning the Triple Crown again.
It wasn’t fun to watch or listen too. There’s the owner, bitching and moaning how this and that was unfair and that’s the reason that his horse lost the race. Most folks probably just turned it off, or hit the mute button.
But, you know what; Mr. Coburn had some very valid points to make during his brief but boisterous tirade. How could it be fair to set up a competition so renowned as racing’s Triple Crown and then allow a fresh horse, one that has not competed in the first two legs of the three races, to enter as an even competitor against those who have just been through the grind of two major racing events in different states over a period of just a few weeks. Why would they do that?
Steve Coburn is a rather colorful character who has gained some fame of late as the co-owner of California Chrome the three year old who easily won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Coburn was seen out on his ranch talking to his horses in his old faded cowboy hat looking every bit the part of a gentleman rancher with his roots still firmly planted in the earth his horses graze on. He is very believable in that role.
Could it be that the powers that be somewhere up in thoroughbred racing’s hierarchy do not really want for there to be another Triple Crown winner? Is that possible? It’s been 36, going on 37, years now since Affirmed did the deed. That’s over a generation. Most young people today probably don’t even know what the Triple Crown is all about. The event will be going out of style unless we get a new champion thoroughbred sometime soon.
During the race the camera often cut to Steve Coburn and his wife as their expressions went from expectant and hopeful to the suspense of the race as California Chrome never really got into his accustomed position on the rail and had to switch to the outside to make his run for the finish line.
As the great horse tired in the final stretch the camera once again switched to Mr. & Mrs. Coburn and what came through above all was their compassion for their beloved horse out there giving it his all, but falling short in the end.
