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The 146th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes gives us an opportunity to see history in the making as Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome goes for the Triple Crown,
not to mention his seventh consecutive victory. Horses that may have a chance to play spoiler include Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes winner Tonalist, Derby runner-up Commanding Curve,
Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin and Peter Pan runner-up Commissioner.
Other contenders include Derby fourth-place finisher Wicked Strong, who will try to bounce back to the form shown just before that race when winning the Grade 1 Wood Memorial.
Derby fifth-place finisher Samraat, who won the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes in March, is another with top efforts early in the year that might make him competitive if repeated.
Medal Count finished a troubled eighth behind California Chrome in the Derby but was competitive when second prior to that in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and could have a say in the outcome.
California Chrome showed the same burst of speed turning for home in the Preakness that he did in the Derby and in his four winning efforts prior to that. Opening up by three lengths
with an eighth of a mile to go and holding Ride On Curlin to the same 1 1/2-length margin for the entire stretch, California Chrome duplicated the 107
Equibase Speed Figure earned in the Derby, his fourth straight figure of 105 or better.
Although the 1½-mile distance of the Belmont Stakes is far different than any race California Chrome has run in to date, the rest of the field has the same challenge ahead. Additionally,
California Chrome has the kind of tactical speed that should allow him to either be in front from the start and running well within his ability or to sit second behind the other potential pacesetter, Tonalist. Having shown a winning spirit that has not allowed another horse to get within three lengths of him in early stretch since December, and with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard for the Belmont, the same as for all six wins in his streak, California Chrome has nearly everything in his favor.
SOURCE
The 146th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes gives us an opportunity to see history in the making as Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome goes for the Triple Crown,
not to mention his seventh consecutive victory. Horses that may have a chance to play spoiler include Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes winner Tonalist, Derby runner-up Commanding Curve,
Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin and Peter Pan runner-up Commissioner.
Other contenders include Derby fourth-place finisher Wicked Strong, who will try to bounce back to the form shown just before that race when winning the Grade 1 Wood Memorial.
Derby fifth-place finisher Samraat, who won the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes in March, is another with top efforts early in the year that might make him competitive if repeated.
Medal Count finished a troubled eighth behind California Chrome in the Derby but was competitive when second prior to that in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and could have a say in the outcome.
California Chrome showed the same burst of speed turning for home in the Preakness that he did in the Derby and in his four winning efforts prior to that. Opening up by three lengths
with an eighth of a mile to go and holding Ride On Curlin to the same 1 1/2-length margin for the entire stretch, California Chrome duplicated the 107
Equibase Speed Figure earned in the Derby, his fourth straight figure of 105 or better.
Although the 1½-mile distance of the Belmont Stakes is far different than any race California Chrome has run in to date, the rest of the field has the same challenge ahead. Additionally,
California Chrome has the kind of tactical speed that should allow him to either be in front from the start and running well within his ability or to sit second behind the other potential pacesetter, Tonalist. Having shown a winning spirit that has not allowed another horse to get within three lengths of him in early stretch since December, and with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard for the Belmont, the same as for all six wins in his streak, California Chrome has nearly everything in his favor.
SOURCE
