California Chrome’s final quest for the Triple Crown will begin from post 2, and the colt was installed as the heavy favorite against a relatively sizable field when the post positions were drawn and morning line established for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes, to be contested Saturday.
Racing fans at Belmont Park looking for a keepsake of California Chrome’s bid for a Triple Crown can visit a special green-screen photo booth on the first-floor grandstand, near the winner’s circle, Saturday to promote the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Fans can support the retirement, retraining, and adoption of former racehorses across North America with a $10 contribution and have their picture superimposed onto a racing photograph of California Chrome.
Owner Ron Sanchez had planned to withhold his decision on whether to run Social Inclusion in the Belmont Stakes until after his schooling session Wednesday morning. But after discussing the situation further with trainer Manny Azpurua on Tuesday, Sanchez felt there was no sense in prolonging the issue, opting to take the more conservative route and bypass the Belmont in lieu of Saturday’s seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes.
Nick Zito won’t be involved Saturday when California Chrome tries to become the 12th Triple Crown winner, but he is as interested as anyone in what happens. And he has one piece of wisdom to impart.
Alan Sherman, at 45 the youngest of Art and Faye Sherman’s two sons, has done most of the day-to-day training of California Chrome, overseeing nearly every step the colt has taken since he left California five weeks ago for this captivating journey.
Dan Dougherty has been forced to gradually close all 16 of his furniture stores over the past five years due to the economic downturn. When the final two were shuttered last summer, the 55-year-old father of six faced an uncertain financial future. But then along came Ride On Curlin.
Bill Turner, the trainer of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, is a fan of California Chrome, but he appeared to waver a bit on whether the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit is going to win the Triple Crown in Saturday’s 146th Belmont Stakes.
Hall of Famers Bill Mott and Mike Smith will team up with Belmont Stakes longshot Matuszak, but they are no strangers to surprising the racing world in the oldest and longest spring classic. In 2010, they scored their first Belmont victory together with longshot Drosselmeyer.
Tuesday was just another day at the office for the majority of the dozen or so confirmed starters for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Routine gallops were the order of the day for nearly the entire prospective field, with odds-on favorite California Chrome having the busiest morning of them all.
The decision by Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens to remain in Florida this spring has left a void on the Belmont Park backstretch. Though he personally will not be attending Saturday’s Belmont Stakes card, the 85-year-old Jerkens will have the chance to make his presence felt.
