LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn was gracious as he and partner Perry Martin received the Kentucky Derby trophy for their horse’s triumph last month at Churchill Downs.

That doesn’t mean Coburn has changed his mind that the Triple Crown process needs fixing.

After California Chrome’s bid to become the first Triple Crown champion in 36 years failed with a fourth-place tie behind winner Tonalist in the Belmont Stakes on June 7, Coburn said in a postrace interview that skipping the Derby and Preakness to only run in the Belmont was “the coward’s way out.”

Coburn apologized on Monday, but on Saturday night said that he has received “thousands” of texts and voicemails this week and “97 percent of these people agree with me. … What’s that tell you?”