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Update: Tonalist wins, denies California Chrome Triple Crown
The Belmont Stakes runs Saturday evening, and all eyes will be focused on California Chrome busting out of the No. 2 gate at Belmont Park just before 7 p.m. ET. The California-bred three-year-old will race for the chance to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner since 1978 and the 12th in the series' history.
California Chrome -- the 3-5 morning line favorite -- let off the throttle and coasted to his win in the Kentucky Derby, and he triumphed for a big win in the Preakness Stakes three weeks ago. The last horse to race in the Belmont Stakes having won the Triple Crown's first two jewels was Big Brown in 2008, but he eased and did not finish the Belmont. Before that, Smarty Jones led the Belmont with one furlong to go in 2004 but had no gas left, and 36-1 longshot Birdstone surged past to win by a length.
Wicked Strong is the second choice with morning line odds at 6-1, and the fourth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby sat out the Preakness in hopes that he's more suited for Belmont's longer distances, as trainer Jimmy Jerkins has publicly hypothesized. Another horse to watch is Tonalist, a New York-bred horse that didn't compete in either of the first two Triple Crown races but has had success on the track at Belmont Park before. Tonalist is the third choice with morning line odds of 8-1.
Pre-race coverage
NBC Sports Network, 2:30 p.m. ET to 4:30 p.m. ET
NBC, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET
Post time
6:52 p.m. ET
Post-race coverage
7 p.m. ET to 7:30 p.m. ET