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He didn’t get ganged up on, he didn’t bother to properly prepare his horse. No horse has won the TC without winning at Belmont BEFORE running the Derby.

Prior to the Kentucky Derby, there were many reports that California Chrome was not training well over the track, that he was moving stiffly and not stretching out and replicating the long strides he is known for. The reports improved as race day approached, and the horse had no trouble racing on the surface.

Before the Belmont, California Chrome was present for the longest period of time before any of these races. He had a good fast work over the surface, and every report I came across indicated that he was relishing the Belmont surface. I don't think a race over the surface of a track is required.

He might have relished the surface but that doesn’t mean he could win a race on it. And having not run a race on it prior nobody knew. And then he lost to a horse that won the Peter Pan there a month ago. If you want to win the TC win at Belmont FIRST, the pattern is pretty well established.