I was quite disappointed with the performance of California Chrome today, in the Belmont Stakes. It marked the twelfth time within the last 36 years that a thoroughbred has entered the Belmont Stakes with a chance to secure the Triple Crown--the first one since 1978--and failed. But California Chrome's finish--a dead heat for fourth place--begs the question: If the horse had finished, instead, in a dead heat for first place, would that have counted as a Triple Crown? I really do not know the answer to this. Does anyone else?
No, but all that really matters is that Chrome did not win. The only winner in this instance is the soap factory.
