Chrome Comes up Short

California Chrome
Being Stepped on By Matterhorn

A horse, a race, and an unsatisfactory ending. It was a thrilling chance for history and to end the Triple Crown drought--but alas, California Chrome did not have enough gas in his tank to overcome the leaders and claim the first Triple Crown in 36 years.

I had hoped to cheer for a winner.

I liked this gritty horse and its unlikely owners. 

I wanted a Triple Crown winner. I liked this horse and the story behind him. 

California Chrome in Purple and Green Silks

I was looking forward to a resurgence of a sport which is continuing to fall into irrelevancy with the exception of a few major events.

Chrome's Hoof after the Race

I saw the similarities to other Triple Crown winners, but in my heart I knew from the start that despite being the favorite the odds were clearly stacked against California Chrome.

Did he get stepped at the start of the race and did that cause him to run "flat" as his jockey reported? Who knows? But, victory was not to be had yesterday and we remain searching for the next great race horse to capture the Triple Crown and join the eleven greatest race horses of all time which include Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, Citation, and War Admiral among others.

Maybe next year, a winner will emerge from the Run for the Roses who again will capture our hearts and become the next Triple Crown winner. For now, we are left with the what could have beens and the joy and excitement of he almost did it!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD