2014 Preakness

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California Chrome listed at 3-5 on morning line for Preakness Stakes

Social Inclusion, shown jogging at Pimlico, could be the biggest threat to California Chrome.

Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome was made the odds-on favorite at 3-5 on Wednesday for the Preakness Stakes, and he drew an inside post position in the 10-horse field that includes a filly for the first time in five years.

Entire article: http://msn.foxsports.com/horse-raci...-5-favorite-second-leg-of-triple-crown-051414

http://www.preakness.com/

 

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California Chrome Coughs, but Trainers Say He Is Fine

Exercise rider Willie Delgado takes Preakness favorite California Chrome out for a morning job over the Pimlico track on Thursday.

California Chrome, who was bathed after his gallop on Thursday, is being treated with a glycerin throat wash.

It is more a tickle than a hitch. At least that is how the trainer Art Sherman characterized the cough California Chrome came up with Thursday morning.

California Chrome, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, is the prohibitive 3-to-5 favorite to capture the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. He coughed a couple of times after his morning gallop, and Sherman and his son and assistant trainer, Alan Sherman, decided to have the colt examined.

His blood work came back clean, but a small blister was discovered on his throat. He is being treated with a glycerin throat wash.

“The horse is completely fine,” Alan Sherman said. “His blood work came back perfect. He coughed about four times today, and we got him checked out right away. The blister isn’t going to affect him at all; the vet said there were absolutely no other problems, nothing else going on.”

Entire article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/sports/california-chrome-has-a-cough.html?_r=0

 

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California Chrome takes Preakness, Triple Crown dream alive

The dream of a Triple Crown is still alive after California Chrome held off Ride on Curlin to take Saturday's 139th Preakness Stakes in an unofficial time of 1:54.84 at Pimlico.

After an excellent start, Chrome was content in third for the majority of the race until a late charge at the 3/4 mile saw him forge ahead of both Curlin and Social Inclusion, two horses pegged as potential upsetters. Chrome resisted the urge to set the pace from the outset, deferring to the lone filly, Ria Antonia and Pablo Del Monte, both longshots. Towards the end though, Chrome, Inclusion and Curlin separated themselves from the pack before the Derby winner accelerated towards the finish.

"It's an awesome feeling to be able to have a horse like California Chrome. ... Today it was just a crazy race. I got more tired mentally than physically. He's just amazing," jockey Victor Espinoza said after the race. Espinoza improved his record to 6-0 on Chrome after holding off (even brushing) Inclusion and Ride on Curlin down the back stretch.

Asked how he felt Chrome would handle the heightened stakes at Belmont and Espinoza laughed it off. "I hope OK. You never know until you run, but he seems like he's going to be alright."

Entire article: http://www.cbssports.com/general/ey...ornia-chrome-hoping-for-2nd-leg-preakness-win

 

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California Chrome 'might not' pursue Triple Crown over nasal strips issue

California Chrome might abandon his Triple Crown bid if New York officials do not allow the colt to wear a nasal strip in the Belmont Stakes.

Trainer Art Sherman made no threats about the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner passing on a chance to become horse racing's 12th Triple Crown winner, but he suggested it was a possibility.

"I'd have to leave it up to the owners," he said Sunday. "I know they'll be upset."

Neither the New York State Gaming Commission nor the New York Racing Association stewards has received a request to use nasal strips in the Belmont Stakes on June 7.

"If a request to use nasal strips is made, the decision on whether to permit them or not will be fully evaluated and determined by the stewards," Gaming Commission spokesman Lee Park said Sunday.

Among the Gaming Commission's rules governing Belmont Park is one that states: Only equipment specifically approved by the stewards shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse in a race.

California Chrome has worn a nasal strip during his current six-race winning streak after co-owner Perry Martin wanted to try it. Sherman is based in California and said he wasn't aware that using one in New York might be a problem. He said he would talk to New York racing officials and the horse's owners.

Some horses, like humans, wear nasal strips to assist breathing. The colt wears the strip only during races, not training.

At 1 and a half miles, the Belmont is the longest and most grueling of the three Triple Crown races.

"I think it opens up his air passage and gives him that little extra oomph that he needs, especially going a mile and a half," Sherman said. "Anytime you can have a good air passage, that means a lot for these thoroughbreds."

Sherman said Martin likes to try different products and the co-owner thought a nasal strip might benefit California Chrome.

"It's something nonmedical that can be beneficial to a workout or a race," California-based trainer Doug O'Neill said by phone. "If you think your horse could use some help with their nostrils, you do it."

Two years ago, O'Neill trained I'll Have Another to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness with the colt wearing a nasal strip. New York officials told O'Neill that his horse couldn't wear one in the Belmont. The issue became moot when I'll Have Another was scratched the day before the race because of a leg injury.

"I can't imagine them being that ignorant that they would do that again," O'Neill said. "New York has gotten a lot better with common sense. It seems like a more rational place now."

Entire article: http://msn.foxsports.com/horse-raci...nia-chromes-triple-bid-belmont-stakes1-051814

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/tri...p-threaten-california-chrome-triple-crown-bid