Jun 7, 2014

The case can be made that there is a lot more riding on California Chrome than a 100-pound jockey and a chance to be mentioned in the same conversation with the greatest thoroughbreds of all time.

The case can be made that when Chrome bursts out of the starting gate at Belmont Park on Saturday, he’ll be carrying the weight of the horse racing world on his chestnut shoulders. – Peter Schmuck, The Baltimore Sun

MORE COVERAGE: Crown for Chrome? | Best of 2014 Preakness

: Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome (2) and Joe Bravo aboard Matterhorn (3) knick as they come out of the gate at the start of the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome (2) finished fourth. (Robert Deutsch/USA Today Sports)

: Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome (2) and Joe Bravo aboard Matterhorn (3) and Shaun Bridgmohan aboard Commanding Curve (4) and Robby Albarado aboard Medal Count (1) come out of the gate during the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. California Chrome (2) finished fourth. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

: The field starts the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

: The field starts the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

: he field comes down the front stretch to start the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

: The field rounds turn four during the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

: The field comes down the front stretch during the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park Elmont, N.Y. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: The field rounds the final turn during the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

: Tonalist (11,) ridden by Joel Rosario, races to the finish line enroute to winning the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

: Tonalist (11,) ridden by Joel Rosario, races to the finish line enroute to winning the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Tonalist (11, L), ridden by Joel Rosario, races to the finish line enroute to winning the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. Preakness and Derby winner California Chrome (3) finished tied for fourth.(Rob Carr/Getty Images)

: Tonalist #11, ridden by Joel Rosario, races to the finish line enroute to winning the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)

: Joel Rosario aboard Tonalist (11) wins the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park as Javier Castellano aboard Commissioner (8) and Robby Albarado aboard Medal Count (1) finish 2nd and 3rd respectively. (Anthony Gruppuso/USA Today Sports)

: Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome, reacts while watching the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

: Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome (2) and jockey Victor Espinoza walk down the track after losing the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Tonalist jockey Joel Rosario celebrates after winning the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park Elmont, N.Y. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Tonalist (11) and jockey Joel Rosario celebrate in the winner’s circle after winning the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

: Tonalist owner Robert S. Evans holds the Belmont Stakes trophy after being presented by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo after winning the 146th running of the race at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

: An injury to California Chrome’s right front hoof is tended to in the barn after the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park Elmont, N.Y. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: An injury to California Chrome’s right front hoof is tended to in the barn after the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder (R) kneels down to speak with former jockey Ron Turcotte before the 146th running of the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. Turcotte rode famed horse Secretariat to the triple crown and Holder was sitting in the stand watching the race with his father in 1983. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: Buglers play the “Call to Post” before the 146th running of the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. California Chrome is the heavy pre-race favorite. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: Fans watch a race prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Buglers are reflected in a trophy as they play the “Call to Post” before the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. California Chrome is the heavy pre-race favorite. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: A general view as the horses race during race 5 before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (James Lang-USA TODAY Sports)

: Lauren Peoples poses with a breathe right strips before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

: Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat signs autographs before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

: Carolyn Delaney of Washington, DC poses before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

: Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome waves to fans at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. California Chrome will be attempting to win the triple crown in the Belmont Stakes. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: A fan wears a hat prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Fans place bets prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

: A fan wears a hat prior to the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

: Nicole Slavek (left) and Barb Traxler (right) both fro Minnesota take their own photograph before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

: People stand in the grandstand area at Belmont Park before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

: A woman stands on the rail as horses make their way for the third race at Belmont Park before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

: Shayna Reade (C) cheers as horses cross the finish line during the third race at Belmont Park before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

: A woman is seen in silhouette at Belmont Park before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

: Artist Susan Sommer-Luarca paints a portrait of the past three triple crown winners before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

: A general view of race 5 during the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

: A general view as the horses race during race 5 before the 2014 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (James Lang-USA TODAY Sports)

: Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome waves to fans at Belmont Park on June 7, 2014 in Elmont, New York. California Chrome will be attempting to win the triple crown in the Belmont Stakes. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

: A man takes a nap on a bench in the grandstand before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: People walk under the grandstand before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: Horseracing stickers are pictured on a window of the grandstand as people walk past, before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: Horseracing stickers are pictured on a window of the grandstand before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: A woman wearing a hat sits in the stands with her racing form before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: Men line up to watch an early race before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: People place bets before the 2014 Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

: California Chrome, winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, enters the track from a paddock area for morning workouts at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York June 6, 2014. California Chrome will attempt to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win racing’s coveted triple crown when he competes in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

: Mike Calimano is pictured wearing a California Chrome outfit in the stadium before the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York June 7, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Tonalist derails California Chrome’s Triple Crown run

Leave a Reply Cancel