California Chrome is back on track for the Triple Crown after an idiosyncratic New York equipment ban threatened his bid for the Belmont Stakes.
The winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes has been cleared to wear the nasal strip he has worn all through a six-race winning streak that has set him up for a chance to become the 12th Triple Crown winner.
New York racetracks have a rule prohibiting any equipment not specifically approved by stewards, and nasal strips were not on their list.
A statement from the New York Racing Association and the state’s Gaming Commission on Monday (Tuesday AEST) said the track’s three stewards unanimously agreed to lift the ban.
The strip worn by California Chrome during his six-race winning streak is thought to assist airflow through the nostrils – something that should come in handy on June 7 for Belmont’s gruelling 2400 metres.
“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,” trainer Art Sherman said. “Any time you can have a good air passage that means a lot for these thoroughbreds.”
Other states allow equine nasal strips and even some jockeys wear them, as do humans in other sports. American marathon star Meb Keflezighi wore one during his winning run in Boston last month.
Racing hasn’t had a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, and the sport’s popularity has waned in the nearly four decades since.
Sherman raised the possibility his horse would not run in the Belmont if barred from using a nasal strip, but the problem was solved in about 24 hours, clearing the way for big crowds and plenty of betting at Belmont in less than three weeks.
The Belmont Stakes is shaping up as a possible 11-horse race, including two newcomers – Commissioner, sixth in the Arkansas Derby, and Tonalist, the Peter Pan Stakes winner.
Other probable runners include the second to fifth-place finishers in the Kentucky Derby – Commanding Curve, Danza, Wicked Strong and Samraat. Intense Holiday, 12th in the Derby, is also in the mix.
Three Preakness runners Ride On Curlin (second), Social Inclusion (third) and Kid Cruz (eighth), could also run.
