The Belmont Stakes has historically been billed as “the Test of the Champion,” and it may live up to that description when California Chrome bids to sweep the Triple Crown. But in the last decade or so the 147-year-old event has been marked by freakish results and diminished prestige.
Art Sherman, the trainer of California Chrome, hadn’t seen the horse in person in two weeks, since the Preakness win at Pimlico, but he certainly liked what he saw after flying to New York on Monday to begin final preparations for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.
As of Tuesday, Social Inclusion is still being considered for the Belmont Stakes, said owner Ron Sanchez, who added he will make a decision Wednesday on whether to colt runs in the Belmont or the Woody Stephens.
Kid Cruz on Tuesday was all but ruled out of the Belmont Stakes by trainer Linda Rice, who said she was looking “for an easier spot to get him back on track.”
For a horse who already has made 12 starts, has been in steady racing and training for more than a year, has won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, and will be racing at his fourth track in four states in his last four starts Saturday, California Chrome looks like he’s held up remarkably well as he prepares for a Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes.
California Chrome will be sponsored by the footwear company Skechers in the Belmont Stakes, according to the company and officials who participated in the deal, with the company’s brand being featured on clothing worn by his owners and stable team.
Before the Kentucky Derby, the owners of California Chrome turned down an offer to sell 51 percent of their colt for $6 million. The offer pegged his value at about $12 million. After California Chrome proceeded to win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, trainer Art Sherman declared: “Now the horse is worth $30 million.” When the breeding puts a valuation on humbly bred colt, however, his connections may be in for a surprise -- and a disappointment.
What started out a relatively chilly morning heated up steadily as the day went on, both weather- and activity-wise for Belmont Stakes-bound 3-year-olds, six of whom worked during the course of a long morning, which began before 6:30 a.m. on the main track with Commanding Curve and ended more than three hours later over at the training track with an eye-catching drill by Wicked Strong.
On Saturday, Wicked Strong will chase Belmont Stakes glory. On Sunday, he was chasing Belmont Stakes history.
Anybody looking for a chink in California Chrome’s armor heading into the Belmont Stakes certainly didn’t find one Saturday at Belmont Park, where the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner turned in an outstanding final workout a week in advance of his quest to complete the elusive Triple Crown sweep with a victory in the Belmont Stakes.
