Bailey: 'Use California Chrome's speed'

ELMONT, N.Y. - If Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey were riding California Chrome, he knows the tactics he would use with the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner from post No. 2.

“If it were me, it would just strengthen my resolve that I need to just go ahead and do what he does best – use his speed,” said Bailey, a two-time Belmont-winning jockey.

Bailey said he’s not advising jockey Victor Espinoza to gun him to the lead, but he doesn’t see the point in trying to work out a stalking trip outside other speed possibilities such as Samraat (post 7), General a Rod (post 10), or Tonalist (post 11).

“I just think to try and work out a Preakness trip where you’re spending so much energy going lateral, you might as well use it to just go ahead and go forward,” Bailey said.

::2014 BELMONT STAKES: Latest news, video, PPs, and more

Bailey doesn’t believe California Chrome necessarily has the pedigree to get the 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont, but he’s not so sure anybody else in the field does either.

“Some will probably negotiate it a little better because of their running style – maybe Wicked Strong,” Bailey said. “But I can’t really say that there’s a mile-and-a-half horse right there – there’s your winner. I don’t think they’re in there.”