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California Chrome unanimous choice in 3-year-old poll

California Chrome is the unanimous selection in the NTRA 3-year-old Poll following his Preakness Stakes victory.

The Kentucky Derby winner received all 49 first-place votes cast in the poll for races through May 18. His 490 points is 97 to the good over Kentucky Oaks champ Untapable.

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Trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome goes for a sweep of the Triple Crown on June 7 in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes.

"I have a good feeling about it," Sherman said. "I'm really confident going into this race.

"I've always loved New York; of course, I was born in Brooklyn. It's like coming back. I won't know how the horse will like it until we get to training him over it, but he's run at five different tracks already, so I don't think (he) has to take his track with him."

California Chrome's Preakness win also benefited him in the National Poll where he advanced from fourth to third trailing only two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan and Palace Malice who is undefeated this year.

Completing the 3-year-old poll are filly Untapable (393), Danza (341), Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin (335), Wicked Strong (287), Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve (231), Samraat (147), Tonalist (115), Hoppertunity (82) and Preakness third-place finisher Social Inclusion (80).

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Wise Dan, currently recovering from surgery, received 27 first-place votes and 440 points in the National Poll. The 7-year-old gelding had surgery last week for a twisted small intestine.

Palace Malice, perfect in three starts this year, is second with seven top votes and 413 points. The top two are followed by California Chrome (13, 340), Game On Dude (1, 325), Lea (1, 246), Beholder (162), Will Take Charge (143), Mucho Macho Man (136), Untapable (119) and Close Hatches (105).

[SportsNetwork.com]

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