Since Affirmed swept the last Triple Crown in 1978, Victor Espinoza is the only jockey to get two cracks at winning the elusive

NEW YORK -- Since Affirmed swept the last Triple Crown in 1978, Victor Espinoza is the only jockey to get two cracks at winning the elusive title again. Cheap Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . Both times hes left empty. It was War Emblem in 2002. On Saturday, it was California Chromes turn to lose the Belmont after capturing the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. "We reached almost to the top," Espinoza said. "Just one step away to get to the top." California Chrome finished in a dead heat for fourth, a disappointment to bettors who made him the 4-5 favourite. The Belmont was the third tough race in a short five-week span. His tank was empty. "As soon as he came out of the gate he wasnt the same," Espinoza said. Espinoza, 41, was once a bus driver in his native Mexico City. He has won riding titles at four Southern California tracks, winning over 3,000 races and earning $169 million in purses. With history on the line, the rider did his best to nurse California Chrome through the 1 1/2-mile race. Espinoza kept him on the rail in the early stages. On the final turn, with time running out, Espinoza shifted California Chrome outside to light a spark. "By five eighths pole (the top of the turn) he was empty," the jockey said. "I tried to move out to see if it would make a difference." Not with a tired horse. "I was just waiting for to have the same kick like he always had before," Espinoza said. "Today he was a bit flat down the lane. He ran back-to-back races at different tracks, and against those fresh horses." At least this time, California Chrome got to run his race. War Emblem was a different kind of horse, a confirmed front runner who had to have it his way to be effective. War Emblem stumbled at the start of the Belmont. Espinoza got him back into the race but playing catchup was not War Emblems game. He finished eighth. Jockeys rarely get a chance for Triple Crown redemption. Espinoza was handed one when California Chrome launched a six-race winning streak the moment they teamed up. It was a magical run that started in races restricted to horses bred in California. It picked up momentum in the Santa Anita Derby and crashed the national stage in the Derby and the Preakness. In every win, California Chrome proved responsive to every command by Espinoza. They won on the lead. They came from just off the pace. "The last time I had been here, I stumbled," Espinoza said. "Today I dont feel bad. California Chrome was just empty today." Authentic Mark Walton Jersey . -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. Cheap Bengals Jerseys . The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league hasnt announced the award. Crawford was the Clippers third-leading scorer and the NBAs top-scoring reserve with 18. http://www.cheapbengalsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-auden-tate-jersey . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday.Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Antti Raanta stopped 31 shots for his second shutout of the season to lead the Chicago Blackhawks in a 4-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Patrick Kane posted a goal and two assists while David Rundblad, Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg all lit the lamp for the Blackhawks, who have won three of their last four. James Reimer allowed all four goals on 34 shots for the Maple Leafs, who have dropped their past three. Chicago got the only goal it needed at 15:30 of the first, as Rundblads big slap shot from the left point went through a screen and in for his first of the season. The Blackhawks were able to take a 2-0 lead into thhe second intermission as Kane skated down the right wing and passed it to the front where Versteeg shot it in just as time was running out. Authentic Sam Hubbard Jersey. After a scoreless second period, Chicago took a 3-0 lead at 9:07 on the power play as Kane cleaned up a rebound from a Brent Seabrook point shot for his 16th goal of the season. Toews scored just over two minutes later to account for the final score. Game Notes Raanta has three career shutouts ... Chicago hosts Winnipeg on Tuesday ... Toronto began a seven-game road trip and plays in Dallas on Tuesday ... Patrick Sharp had three assists for Chicago, while Seabrook posted two. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '