Big Brown loses Triple Crown quest; Da' Tara wins Belmont

(CNN) - Big Brown, the undefeated colt who had dominated the field in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, fell short in his quest for horse-racing's most elusive prize Saturday, losing to Da' Tara at the Belmont Stakes.

He had a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years after victories at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Affirmed, in 1978, was the last to claim the prize.

Big Brown's chances of winning had seemed to receive a significant bump Saturday morning when Casino Drive, an undefeated Japanese horse that was the second-favorite among bettors, was pulled from the race with a bruised hoof.