Jun 5, 2014

Ride On Curlin and General a Rod are the only challengers who’ve chased California Chrome through each leg of his quest for the first Triple Crown since 1978. But as he tries to complete the historic feat at Belmont Park, the chestnut colt will face an array of potential threats. Each horse will arrive backed by some narrative explaining why he could be the one to spoil the coronation.

And although rival trainers all say California Chrome is the best horse, they still hold out hope he might falter in New York. They’ve watched too many fast horses lose steam down the stretch of the 1 ½- mile race to think it’s impossible. – Childs Walker, The Baltimore Sun

: California Chrome works out on the track in preparation for running in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

: California Chrome works out on the track in preparation for running in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

: California Chrome is led to the track for a workout in preparation for running in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, is bathed with exercise rider Willie Delgado (left) standing by after training on the main track at Belmont Park on June 4, 2014 in Elmont, New York He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: A general view of a horse getting bathed at Belmont Park on June 3, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: A general view of a horse and exercise rider training at sunrise on the main track for training at Belmont Park on June 3, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: A general view of horses and exercise riders heading to the main track for training at Belmont Park on June 3, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images/An infrared camera was used to create this image)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado up, walks on the main track at Belmont Park on June2, 2014 in Elmont, New York. He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado is walked in his barn after training on the main track at Belmont Park on May 30, 2014 in Elmont, New York. He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Horses head to the main track for training at Belmont Park on May 30, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome with exercise rider Willie Delgado up, heads to the main track for morning training at Belmont Park on May 30, 2014 in Elmont, New York. He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado is bathed outside his barn after a training session at Belmont Park on May 27, 2014 in Elmont, New York. He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado walks outside his stall after training on the main track at Belmont Park on June 5, 2014 in Elmont, New York He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado up, trains on the main track at Belmont Park on June 5, 2014 in Elmont, New York He is scheduled to race for the Triple Crown in the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

: Assistant trainer Alan Sherman leads Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado up, to the track in preparation for the 146th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5, 2014 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Crown for Chrome? Preakness winner prepares for Triple Crown try

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