California Chrome Continues to Impress Connections

California Chrome enjoys a bath after training. (Photo by NYRA/Susie Raisher)
Dual classic winner California Chrome was again on the muscle in his Wednesday morning exercise. Like Tuesday, his connections raved about the colt’s energy in completing his usual two-mile gallop at Belmont Park.
California Chrome’s exercise rider, Willie Delgado, reported that there was no reason the 3-year-old Lucky Pulpit colt shouldn’t perform to his best come June 7.
“Yesterday he pulled, and today he pulled farther,” Delgado said. “And then he pulled up and he wasn't even blowing out a match. Fitness-wise, he's fit. Come the day of the race, like I always said, it’s all up to him and God. I can't say enough. He's really, really improving. Like I've always said, after each race he got better. … He's gotten stronger."
CALIFORNIA CHROME GALLOPS AT BELMONT MAY 28

Alan Sherman, son of and assistant to trainer Art Sherman, echoed the sentiment. Sherman also commented on California Chrome’s challengers. The potential Belmont Stakes field has expanded to 11 with the additions of Dale Romans trainee Medal Count, Todd Pletcher’s Matterhorn, and Matuszak from the barn of Bill Mott. Social Inclusion could bring the field to 12, depending on how he performs in a scheduled workout this weekend.
“He went really strong today; he was feeling good. It’s going to be a tough race; they’re all good horses,” Sherman said. “All we have to do is just do our thing and have him run his race and I think we'll be all right.”
California Chrome is slated to have his final timed workout on the main track at Belmont on Saturday. Regular jockey Victor Espinoza will be aboard for the workout.
“He went really strong today; he was feeling good. It’s going to be a tough race; they’re all good horses,” Sherman said. “All we have to do is just do our thing and have him run his race and I think we'll be all right.”
California Chrome is slated to have his final timed workout on the main track at Belmont on Saturday. Regular jockey Victor Espinoza will be aboard for the workout.

POTENTIAL BELMONT STARTERS

Horse

Owner

Trainer

California Chrome

Steven Coburn  & Perry Martin

Art Sherman

Commanding Curve

West Point Thoroughbreds

Dallas Stewart

Commissioner

WinStar Farm

Todd Pletcher

Kid Cruz

Vina Del Mar TBs  & Black Swan Stb.

Linda Rice

Matterhorn

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners

Todd Pletcher

Matuszak

C R K Stable

Bill Mott

Medal Count

Spendthrift Farm

Dale Romans

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