‘Chrome’s’ owner slow out of reality gate
It wasn’t his finest moment, a Belmont Stakes snapshot for the books. Steve Coburn had something to say, and it hardly endeared him to those who had fallen in love with his beloved horse.
The guy in a cowboy hat from Topaz Lake acted just as the name of his syndicate suggests.
Like a major player of the Dumb Ass Partners.
California Chrome had become the latest thoroughbred to capture America’s collective hearts at this time last year, an underdog of implausible heights, the horse with a 99 Cents Store pedigree having won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, a victory in the Belmont away from becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
But fate and an empty tank down the stretch at Belmont Park wouldn’t hear of it, and California Chrome tied for fourth.
Coburn used a postrace interview on NBC and then others to follow while departing the park to shamelessly tear into the Triple Crown format and those fresh horses — specifically Belmont winner Tonalist — who had skipped the Derby or Preakness or both in hopes of affirming that Affirmed would remain the last horse to win the three races in five weeks that annually define the greatest collection of 3-year-olds.
Coburn went as far as to call those who lie in wait and bring rested shooters out of the barn for the Belmont Coburn still believes horses should run all Triple Crown races
cowards.
“If your horse doesn’t even have the points to run in the Kentucky Derby, he shouldn’t be able to run in the Triple Crown,” Coburn told reporters that day. “They’re goddamn cheaters. It’s not fair to these horses that have been in the game since Day One. It’s all or nothing. It’s all or nothing because this is not fair to these horses that have been running their guts out for these people and for all the people who believe in him.
“I’ll never see — and I’m 61 years old — another Triple Crown winner in my lifetime because of the way they do this.” Check that. He could see one today. One year later, horse racing has another champion taking the ultimate of shots, as American Pharoah will break from Gate 5 at Belmont chasing history. It would be smart if he doesn’t get stepped on as California Chrome was last year during those first few fateful bursts.
But the format Coburn so embarrassingly attacked hasn’t changed, and American Pharoah as the betting favorite with the misspelled name will be seriously challenged in the eight-horse field by assassins who chose not to run in the Preakness. Frosted. Materiality. Mubtaahij. All are dangerous and rested. It’s not as if what Coburn said about how the Triple Crown operates is completely false. It’s how he delivered the message, typical for someone who had never existed under the blinding spotlight that discovered him and his partners as California Chrome made such a historic push last spring.
He wasn’t the first loose cannon of a horse owner to play the role of sore loser, and won’t be the last.
It isn’t totally fair, a system that often works against the best horse. Some that arrive at the Belmont Stakes have only raced a handful of times during the year to this point, while a Triple Crown threat such as American Pharoah has grinded and worked and exhausted his way to the doorstep of mythical status.
But the alternative could be worse, specifically for those viewing and betting.
“If you were to limit those horses who start the Kentucky Derby as the only ones eligible for all three races, you could end up with a Belmont some years with three or four horses in the field,” said Richard Eng, the Review-Journal’s horse racing columnist and handicapper. “That wouldn’t be very competitive and definitely not what the public wants to see.
“I liken it to a major league baseball pitching staff that begins with 10 pitchers and can’t make any changes the entire season, no matter if there are injuries or someone isn’t performing. You could be down to a few pitchers by September. I understand what (Coburn) was saying, but it’s really not feasible. It’s not going to be easy for American Pharoah. Rested horses are ready to fire at him. But this is how the Triple Crown is set up. This is the tradition.”
Coburn was preparing this week to depart for London, where California Chrome is set to race in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17. He finished second in the Dubai World Cup in March and is treated as royalty upon arriving on various shores.
His temporary home outside London, where the horse arrived in early April, includes a fitted stall with heat lamps to provide the famous horse the feel of a little California sunshine.
“Last year was an exciting time in all of our lives,” Coburn said. “There were highs and lows to the journey, but people still react to the horse in a very positive manner. He still has a lot of support each time he races. Eventually, we’ll bring him back to the United States to run. That’s the plan.
“Even though I probably should have said it in a different way, I still believe the truest Triple Crown test is only for horses that run in all three races. I firmly believe that. But that’s not the way it is, so that’s how it goes.” His message wasn’t necessarily wrong. He just needed better delivery. He needed a little less Dumb Ass to his giddyup. Las Vegas Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be a heard on “Seat and Ed” on KRLV 1340 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Follow him on Twitter: @edgraney.