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. 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 College Jerseys . “The fact that he was willing to do the deal the way we wanted it to be done showed that he wanted me to be a part of something great," Lowry said, noting that Ujiri willingness to sign off on the proposal that both Lowry and his agent presented to the GM was the final straw that convinced him to return. College Football Jerseys Wholesale .C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons. http://www.ncaacheapjerseys.com/ . No surprise there. Kershaw, who also earned the title after throwing his first career no-hitter in June, had a 1. Cheap NCAA Jerseys Authentic . -- David Freese is starting to pick up his run production, which is something the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting half a season to see. Wholesale College Jerseys China . LOUIS - Two-thirds of the St.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews was fined $15,000 for a hit on San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the teams season opener. According to the NFL, Matthews was fined "for striking an opponent late." Matthews drew a personal-foul penalty in the 49ers 34-28 win Sunday after he tackled Kaepernick out of bounds deep in Green Bay territory during the second quarter. A fracas between players from both teams followed on the sideline when Matthews and 49ers left tackle Joe Staley began pushing and shoving. Staley received an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. That offset the late-hit call against Matthews, resulting in a replay of third down at the Packers 10-yard line. Kaepernick then connected with Anquan Boldin for a 10-yard touchdown pass to put the 49ers ahead 14-7. The announcement of the fine came Friday afternooon after the Packers completed their post-practice obligations with the media.dddddddddddd When he spoke with reporters Thursday, Matthews wouldnt comment on speculation he would be disciplined for his hit on Kaepernick, who threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns in the game. "Im not really going to discuss all that right now, but on to the next game," said Matthews. The Packers host the Washington Redskins on Sunday. Matthews said he was fined by the NFL one other time for a face-mask penalty he had against Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in 2010, the linebackers second pro season. Besides Matthews, the NFL fined Boldin $7,875 for a late hit on Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush in the third quarter of Sundays game and fined 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks $12,750 for a roughing-the-passer call, the league said. ' ' '