It is exactly one week until California Chrome makes its bid for history. The Belmont Stakes run on Saturday, June 7 at Belmont Park in New York. A solid field is preparing to run next Saturday, including several horses which have finished 2nd or 3rd in previous Triple Crown races this year. Besides California Chrome, names such as Social Inclusion, Tonalist, Ride on Curlin, and Commanding Curve are set to run. It's all about the favorite, though.
This year, California Chrome seeks to become the 12th horse to win the coveted Triple Crown. To win the Triple Crown, racehorses must win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in one calendar year. The races are run over a 6 week period, so it is considered a grueling, challenging process for the horse.
California Chrome is a different sort of Triple Crown challenger. The horse's co-owners paid a $10,000 stud fee, so it's breeding is not as prestigious as the usual candidates. Despite that drawback, California Chrome came into the Kentucky Derby a big favorite.
California Chrome's Odds
California Chrome will be the 13th horse since 1978 seeking to complete the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes. Twelve other horses have failed to win the final leg of the Triple Crown since Affirmed completed the feat in 1978.
California Chrome appears to have one of the strongest bids in years. While his time at the Kentucky Derby was not impressive overall, he posted one of the fastest times in decades at the Preakness and appears to be gaining strength and confidence.
As the race nears Saturday, sponsors are lining up to ride along with the favorite as it challenges history. Skechers signed a deal which will have its name all over California Chrome. The management team says they expect to have at least 2 other sponsorship deals before the event on Saturday.
California Chrome 10/13
Commanding Curve 8/1
Social Inclusion 8/1
Danza 9/1
Tonalist 9/1
Ride on Curlin 10/1
Candy Boy 12/1
Commissioner 12/1
Intense Holiday 12/1
Samraat 12/1
Wicked Strong 12/1
Tonalist Odds
Tonalist is the winner of the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park, so the horse has won at the venue before. Tonalist was the pole-to-pole winner in the Peter Pan, but will face a much faster field at the Belmont Stakes. His sire is Tapit, which seems to have a horse racing dynasty at the moment.
Social Inclusion - 2nd Favorite
Social Inclusion is a mercurial thoroughbred, banging around in the gate prior to the Preakness. He was also washing out during that time. At the half-mile pole, he made an early move, which may have hurt him in the end. Still, he finished 3rd overall and is dangerous, if he stays near the front in the early part of the race.
Commanding Curve
Commanding Curve finished 2nd in the Kentucky Derby, which is always a crowded field. With more room to manuveur in the Belmont Stakes, Commanding Curve should have a better run. Also, his grandsire is A.P. Indy, so stamina should be a strength. With his close at Churhill Downs. Again, if he stays within striking distance early, this should be a dangerous horse.
Ride On Curlin
Ride On Curlin is a steady horse which gives a good ride every time. Ride on Curlin was sired by "Curlin", who won the 2007 Preakness, 2007 Breeders Cup, and 2007 Dubai World Cup. Riding for Curlin has the chance to run 12 furlongs and he was catching California Chrome in the Preakness, so this horse could pose a challenge.
Conclusions and Predictions
The field is a strong one this year. Several solid challengers skipped the Preakness Stakes, so they should be more rested than California Chrome. Tonalist, Social Inclusion, Commanding Curve, and Ride on Curlin are all have the background which suggests they could challenge the favorite. Still, the oddsmakers have California Chrome as a near even money odds to win the race, which is an extraordinary betting line.
California Chrome is perfectly built to run well at Belmont Park. Other thoroughbreds have had similar advantages and came up short. The track will be wild next Saturday, so California Chrome needs to be in position at the 3/8 pole. If that happens, he should win the Triple Crown.
