Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome left for Belmont Park early Tuesday morning from Pimlico Race Course less than three days after claiming the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown.
Trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome was on a van at 6:14 a.m. ET for a trip to Long Island. The colt, owned by Steven Coburn and Perry Martin, will try to become the first Triple Crown champ in 36 years when he starts the 146th Belmont Stakes on June 7.
"He looks great," assistant trainer Alan Sherman said shortly before the van departed Baltimore. "I just went in there checking on him and he was biting me and pushing me around. He licked the bottom of his feed tub clean, so he's ready to go."
Joining the champion colt on the ride was Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin. Ride On Curlin, who rallied to finish 1 1/2 lengths behind California Chrome, is expected to be one of 10 challengers Sherman's horse will face in the 1 1/2-mile "Test of the Champion," the final leg of the Triple Crown.
The other Belmont probables are Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, Derby third- place finisher Danza, the fourth-place horse Wicked Strong, Samraat, Tonalist, Commissioner, Intense Holiday and Preakness third-place finisher Social Inclusion. General a Rod, Ring Weekend and Kid Cruz are currently questionable for the $1.5 million stakes.
[SportsNetwork.com]
