Day of reckoning for colt
California Chrome seeks to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed
California Chrome stands one win away from leaving a lasting impression on the sport of horse racing. The Belmont Stakes in New York this Sunday (NZT) represents the final, and also the most difficult, challenge on his journey to an elusive Triple Crown triumph.
Only 11 horses have completed the feat. The last one was Affirmed all the way back in 1978. Since that point, 12 horses were able to capture the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. None of them were able to conquer the Belmont Stakes.
The Art Sherman trainee looked dominant during the first two legs of the Triple Crown. His connections hope the miracle ride the talented colt has taken them on continues on Sunday. California Chrome is the best horse in the race and, if he runs his best, he wins.
Yet, there are also a lot more factors in play this time around than the previous two races.
Most importantly, he's going to contest his third race in five weeks, a difficult stretch he hasn't faced until this point in his career. Add in the fact the Belmont is the longest Triple Crown race, and fatigue could become a major issue.
Another potential problem is the fact California Chrome hasn't been forced to overcome much adversity during the first two legs.
Jockey Victor Espinoza did a great job of making sure he had a clean trip around the track both times. He also did well to prevent the historychasing colt from letting the breaking problems that hurt him early in his career become an issue again.
The weather has also played in his favour with clear conditions during both the Derby and Preakness.
That may not be the case this time around. The Weather Channel is predicting rain showers for race day, although it’s too far out to know whether they will impact the Belmont.
Can California Chrome capture the Triple Crown in a very long race, on short rest, with several fresh contenders and possibly rain falling? That’s the key question and one that obviously wasn’t a factor during the first two legs.
He looked sharp in his final workout on May 31 in preparation for the Belmont, breezing a half-mile under Espinoza in a quick 47.69 at Belmont Park.
“It was great,” Espinoza said. “I started not too fast . . . and I picked it up a little bit at the end. When we crossed the wire, I kind of dropped the reins a little bit and he did what he always does: his job.”