Opposition Lining Up to Challenge California Chrome in Belmont

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome cools off after his regular morning exercise on Saturday at Belmont Park. (Photo by Susie Raisher/NYRA)
California Chrome has dominated the opposition in his 3-year-old season by winning each of his five starts in 2014 by a combined margin of 21 ¼ lengths. The Lucky Pulpit colt won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes convincingly, yet he hasn’t scared away the opposition leading up to his bid to become the 12 Triple Crown winner in the Belmont Stakes on June 7.
With two weeks left before the 1 ½-mile Belmont, as many as 11 challengers could line up to face him in a race often referred to as the “Test of a Champion.”
Count Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, Preakness Stakes runner-up Ride On Curlin and third-place finisher Social Inclusion among the expected challengers for the Belmont. The field also could include Grade 1 winner Wicked Strong, fourth in the Kentucky Derby; Derby fifth-place finisher Samraat; and the top-two finishers from the May 10 Peter Pan Stakes in Tonalist and Commissioner, respectively.
BELMONT STAKES POSSIBLES

Horse

Owner

Trainer

Candy Boy

C R K Stable

John Sadler

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

Matuszak

George Prussin
Bill Mott

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

For Alan Sherman, son of and assistant to California Chrome’s trainer, Art Sherman, the next two weeks will be about keeping California Chrome happy, healthy and on his game. Everything else is out of his control.
“It’s a horse race and anything can happen,” Alan Sherman said. “But as far as being worried or concerned about anything, once he gets out there it's out of our hands. You just have to have some racing luck and hope all goes well; he’ll run his race.
“Three hard races in five weeks is tough on them. I’m not saying Chrome can do it any easier than any other horse who’s done it, but the horse is going to try. If he’s good enough, he’ll get it done.”
Saturday California Chrome galloped 1 ¾ miles on a main track rated as sloppy, and he picked up the pace through the stretch under regular exercise rider Willie Delgado.
“That's the way he gallops all the time,” Alan Sherman said. “He kind of loafs the first mile and then he decides, ‘OK, let's get serious,’ and grabs the bridle and pulls Willie [Delgado] around there.”
CALIFORNIA CHROME SATURDAY SLIDESHOW

Photos courtesy of Susie Raisher/NYRA
California Chrome appears to have bounced out of the Preakness Stakes in good order. In two weeks, racing fans will find out of he has what it takes to become U.S. racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and end the 36-year drought since Affirmed completed the sweep in 1978.
Judging by those lining up to take him on in the Belmont, California Chrome certainly will have to earn his place in history. Perhaps that’s only fitting for a colt who came from humble beginnings to become a household name in just a few short months.
If he wins the Belmont Stakes, there will be no debating his greatness. He will have earned his place in racing history alongside 11 other unforgettable champions.
TRIPLE CHROME BOUND