California Chrome to Race for Triple Crown June 7
California Chrome will attempt to sweep the Triple Crown with a win in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. The three-year-old stallion won the Kentucky Derby on May 3, and the Preakness stakes following that on May 17. The ability to even have a chance to be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978, and the 12th in history, was almost not in the cards for California Chrome. New York Racing Association and the Jockeys Club
It was ruled only Monday that horses wearing nasal strips would be allowed to race in the Belmont Stakes; contrary to previous rules upheld at the track. This decision was crucial to California Chrome’s success, as he has worn nasal strips in his last six consecutive wins. It was decided by officials that the strips do not affect horses’ abilities to perform if applied appropriately, and are similar to those that humans wear when suffering from nasal decongestion or breathing difficulties.
If California Chrome is successful on June 7, his owners will reap tremendous financial value, coming from a horse that, due to his abnormal pedigree (a stallion father), should not even be in competition. However, he has already increased his value to a whopping $30 million– and that is prior to a possible Triple Crown victory.
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