"We get more distance, which is more to his liking. "I think the Belmont is his day for redemption," Maragh said.
#Crown trick trainer free
The Jimmy Jerkens-trained Wicked Strong, breaking from post 18 in the Derby, was mired in traffic much of the way, breaking free late to finish fourth, losing by a total of 5 3/4 lengths. Most rival trainers suggest that to win, their horse will have to run the race of its life, combined with California Chrome turning in a subpar performance.īut jockey Rajiv Maragh believes Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong – the Belmont's 6-1 second choice - can beat California Chrome straight up. "I think the mile and a half is the key to the race, and the key to your chance of beating him, if you have a horse who will just stay a little longer than he will," said two-time Belmont winner Todd Pletcher, who will saddle long-shots Commissioner and Matterhorn. If he's a great horse, we're running for second."Īnd then there's the 1 1/2 -mile distance, the farthest most of these horses will ever race. "He's got a heavier load on his back besides the two (classic) wins coming into the race," said Rick Violette, Samraat's trainer. And the last Derby winner to take the Belmont was Thunder Gulch in 1995 the last Preakness winner Afleet Alex in 2005. Chrome never stepped outside California until coming to Louisville. If California Chrome has history to make, he also has history to buck.Įvery Triple Crown winner to date ran at Belmont Park as a 2-year-old.
More seriously, he said, "I think I have the horse to do it." I said, 'They spoiled my Derby and Preakness, I might as well spoil the Belmont.'" "I'd love to get booed in New York they're the best boo-ers in the world," Gowan said with a laugh. And some would argue that this 12-race, 10-stakes and $8 million card – featuring six Grade I races, including 2013 Belmont winner Palace Malice in the Metropolitan Mile - surpasses even the Breeders' Cup championship days because of California Chrome's Triple Crown bid.īilly Gowan, the Louisville-based trainer of Ride On Curlin, was asked how he'd handle the New York booing should his Derby seventh-place finisher and Preakness runner-up beat California Chrome. There never has been a more important New York racing program, outside the Breeders' Cup. The forecast calls for sunshine and a high of 84 that should dip to the mid-70s by the scheduled 6:52 p.m.
One sweep that should occur is ideal weather for each Triple Crown race this year. When they write that horse's name on the top of that ledger there, with all the superstars, I'm just so elated that I'll be there and he'll be in the Derby Museum next year." "Once you get the Derby, it's something you never forget. "He's done everything that I ever could want a horse to do – and more," Sherman said.
0 kommentar(er)
