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9-1 long shot Tonalist outrun California Chrome and the rest of the pack to win the 146^th Belmont Stakes Crown held at Elmont, New York in front of about 100,000 horse fans.

Chrome was favored to win the cup after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but falls short of his Triple Crown bid by finishing fourth in a dead-heat with Wicked Strong. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed who won in 1978.

Photos of Chrome taken as it walked back to barn showed a wound on its right front foot, which its handlers said was not serious.  It was not clear when the crowd favorite sustained the injury, but some disappointed fans believe it may have hurt Chrome's chances at winning the race. 

Victor Espinoza, jockey of chestnut colt Chrome, says "As soon as he came out of the gate, he wasn't the same."

Chrome has won six races in a row - King Glorious Stakes, California Cup Derby, San Felipe Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes - before succumbing at Belmont.

This was Espinoza's second chance at the Triple Crown. He last rode War Emblem in 2002.

Tonalist last ran at the Peter Pan Stakes in the same course last May 10 and won against Commissioner who also placed 2^nd at Belmont.

This sparked California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn even more, saying all horses should be required to run the Triple Crown races in order to be fair with the horses, especially the crowd who believed in them.

Tonalist ran the 1 ½ mile course in 2:28.52 and got paid $20.40, $9.60 and $7. Placing 2^nd was Commissioner who earned $23.20 and $13.20 while 3^rd place finisher Medal Count gets $13.20 to show.

Samraat placed six, followed by General a Rod, Matterhorn, Commanding Curve, Matuszak and lastly Ride On Curlin who placed second to California Chrome at Preakness.

Tonalist's Jockey Joel Rosario says if he were to be beaten, it would have to be California Chrome.

Belmont was only Tonalist's fifth race. He was bred in Kentucky by Woodslane Farm and trained by Frenchman Christophe Clement.

Tagsbelmont stakes, horseracing, California Chrome