California Chrome Tries Out Big Sandy

Dual classic-winning California Chrome returned to the track for the first time since his Preakness victory Wednesday, making his training debut over the 1 ½-mile Belmont oval. The colt made one circuit of the track at a relaxed jog under regular exercise rider Willie Delgado.
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner appeared on the track at his usual 6:45 a.m. training time one day after arriving in Elmont, N.Y. from Baltimore, Md. Trainer Art Sherman’s son and assistant Alan Sherman was on hand to supervise the colt's Belmont Stakes preparations.
"He actually surprised me, how good he was feeling this morning," Sherman said. "It's amazing how quick this horse is bouncing back off these big races he's running. He was dragging me around the shedrow, he dragged Willie around the track today. He was really feeling good."
California Chrome jogged smoothly over the track and is scheduled to begin galloping Thursday. Delgado reported that the colt continues to improve and was eager to get back to the track after a few mornings spent walking the shedrow.
"He's usually [strong on the bit] the first day back [on the track] after a race, but today he was [like that] much [stronger] than normal," Delgado said. "It will take him a couple of days. New surroundings, he gets hyped up and tensed up, but it was just like that at Churchill [Downs] the first two days and at Pimlico the first two days … Once he gets used to his surroundings, he'll be back to walking back with a loose rein, looking for the [camera] kind of horse."
SLIDESHOW: CALIFORNIA CHROME ARRIVES AT BELMONT

Delgado doesn’t expect the 1 ½-mile distance of the final jewel of the Triple Crown to be a problem for the colt, and he said California Chrome continues to get stronger with every race.
"He went the mile and a quarter [in the Derby] and was being eased at the end," said Delgado. "That shows you how fit he is. We don't have to do anything special, just maintain him. He knows what he's here for. He's an athlete, he's a professional. I don't see a problem with him getting a mile and a half, or winning it. Come the day of the race, it's all up to him and God."
Photos by Eclipse Sportswire
Possible Contenders for 2014 Belmont Stakes on June 7

Horse

Owner

Trainer

California Chrome

Steven Coburn & Perry Martin

Art Sherman

Commanding Curve

West Point Thoroughbreds

Dallas Stewart

Commissioner

WinStar Farm

Todd Pletcher

Intense Holiday

Starlight Racing

Todd Pletcher

Kid Cruz

Vina Del Mar TBs & Black Swan Stb.

Linda Rice

Ride On Curlin

Daniel J. Dougherty

Billy Gowan

Samraat

My Meadowview Farm

Richard Violette Jr.

Social Inclusion

Rontos Racing Stable

Manny Azpurua

Tonalist

Robert S. Evans

Christophe Clement

Wicked Strong

Centennial Farm

Jimmy Jerkens