NEW YORK (AP) — Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome has galloped his usual 2 miles at Belmont Park, and new horses are lining up to challenge his Triple Crown bid in the Belmont Stakes.
Assistant trainer Alan Sherman says the chestnut colt looked strong on Wednesday.
California Chrome will try to become racing’s first Triple Crown winner in 36 years when he runs in the Belmont on June 7.
The field for the 1½-mile race has added three horses: Matterhorn, Matuszak and Medal Count, who was eighth in the Derby. Matterhorn and Matuszak are newcomers to the Triple Crown trail.
Other probables are Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, Commissioner, Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin, Samraat, Tonalist, and Wicked Strong, who was fourth in the Derby. Kid Cruz, eighth in the Preakness, is a possibility. Samraat was fifth in the Derby, while Commissioner and Tonalist are newcomers to the Triple Crown races.
Sherman says it will be a tough race, but thinks if California Chrome runs his usual race the colt will win.
California Chrome is scheduled for his only official workout before the Belmont on Saturday, with jockey Victor Espinoza coming in from Southern California.
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