Belmont Stakes 2014: Examining Race Highlights and Prize Money Earnings

Tonalist is not a sentimental horse. After an impressive and consistent run at the 2014 Belmont Stakes, he ruined the Triple Crown dreams of California Chrome on Saturday.

The Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner finished fourth in a dead heat with Wicked Strong. In case you missed the race live, here's a replay via NBC Sports:

The event carried a $1.5 million purse, and here's how the prize money was divided:

Pos.	Post	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Pos.
1	11	Tonalist	Joel Rosario	Christophe Clement	1
2	8	Commissioner	Javier Castellano	Todd Pletcher	2
3	1	Medal Count	Robby Albarado	Dale Romans	3
4	2	California Chrome	Victor Espinoza	Art Sherman	4
4	9	Wicked Strong	Rajiv Maragh	Jimmy Jerkins	4
6	7	Samraat	Jose Ortiz	Rick Violette	6
7	10	General a Rod	Rosie Napravnik	Mike Maker	7
8	3	Matterhorn	Joe Bravo	Todd Pletcher	8
9	4	Commanding Curve	Shaun Bridgmohan	Dallas Stewart	9
10	6	Matuszak	Mike Smith	Bill Mott	10
11	5	Ride On Curlin	John Velazquez	Billy Gowan	11

There are several thoughts about how California Chrome failed in his attempt to win the Triple Crown. Here are the three most prominent reasons.

The Injury

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Per Kent Spencer of WHAS11 in Louisville, Kentucky, California Chrome suffered an injury in the race:

He was healthy enough to run, but there's no doubt that this rather graphic injury had to be difficult to run with.

So many things can go wrong on the way to a Triple Crown. Injuries are just one of the impediments. Can you imagine trying to run a race against fresh thoroughbreds with an injured foot?

The Conspiracy

Speaking of fresh thoroughbreds, California Chrome would probably have had a hard time winning even without an injury. He was one of only two horses that also ran in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

California Chrome's owner Steve Coburn doesn't like that dynamic one bit. Take a listen to his post-race interview:

He has a point, even though much of what he's saying is fueled by disappointment that his horse didn't make history. 

Could the New York Racing Association or other governing bodies ever make a rule that says only horses that competed in the previous two Triple Crown races can compete in the Belmont Stakes?

That seems unlikely, but having to contend with fresh horses is just another detail that makes obtaining the Triple Crown so difficult.

The Jockey

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Some may believe that Victor Espinoza allowed California Chrome to stay mired in the pack too long. For most of the race, Espinoza seemed content on the inside and didn't attempt to get outside until the final half mile.

When he did, it was too late. Perhaps it was the injury or the fatigue, but California Chrome just didn't have the kick he needed to catch Tonalist.

Las Vegas handicapper Richard Eng wouldn't blame Espinoza:

Espinoza has made the right decisions with California Chrome in the other two Triple Crown races. He deserves the benefit of the doubt in this one as well.

Sometimes, history-making performances just aren't in the cards.