SI's Best Shots of the Belmont

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 9, 2014

SI's Best Shots of the Belmont

2014 Belmont Stakes

SI's best shots from the Belmont, where California Chrome failed in his bid to end the Triple Crown drought. Longshot Tonalist finished first, just ahead of another longshot, Commissioner. Medal Count placed third.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Belmont had its largest crowd in history for a race that was run with temperatures in the mid-80s.

2014 Belmont Stakes

The race began well enough for jockey Victor Espinoza and California Chrome, which broke from the gate as the 4-5 favorite. They had good position and were well-placed to lead the field around the first turn.

2014 Belmont Stakes

2014 Belmont Stakes

2014 Belmont Stakes

But Espinoza held California Chrome back behind early leaders Commissioner and General a Rod, who set soft early fractions of 24.06 and 48.52.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Down the backstretch, California Chrome stayed behind and inside of the lead horses, taking dirt in his face for the first time in recent memory.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Espinoza worked the colt to the outside around the far turn, and had him in position to challenge for the lead in the home stretch

2014 Belmont Stakes

There was criticism of Espinoza's ride in the immediate aftermath of the race. Why tuck the colt in behind rivals, letting him take dirt in his face for the better part of three quarters of a mile, instead of swinging him out into the clear?

2014 Belmont Stakes

"Turning for home, I was just waiting to have the same kick like he always had before," jockey Victor Espinoza said of California Chrome. "Today he was a little bit flat down the lane."

2014 Belmont Stakes

Tonalist (center), the fifth wagering choice at 9-1 odds, was a fresh and rested horse making his debut on the Triple Crown trail. He last ran and won the Peter Pan Stakes over the same Belmont dirt on May 10.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Tonalist ran the distance in 2:28.52 and paid $20.40, $9.60 and $7.

2014 Belmont Stakes

140609145428-belmont-stakes-new-2-orig-single-image-cut.jpg — Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

This special Lynx camera shows the field as it crosses the finish line.

2014 Belmont Stakes

California Chrome and Wicked Strong finished in a dead-heat for fourth.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Three tough races in five weeks proved too demanding for California Chrome. Affirmed remains the most recent Triple Crown winner -- in 1978.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Victor Espinoza lost his second chance at a Triple Crown. He was aboard War Emblem in 2002, when that colt stumbled at the start of the Belmont and lost all chance.

2014 Belmont Stakes

Joel Rosario and Tonalist joined the growing list of Triple Crown spoilers, making California Chrome the 12th horse since Affirmed to lose his Triple try in the Belmont, the longest race in the series. In 2012, I'll Have Another won the first two legs, but was scratched the day before the Belmont with a career-ending tendon injury.