The horse racing world was given a brief scare over the weekend when speculation began building that New York racing authorities will not allow California Chrome to wear the nasal strip he wore while winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Chrome’s trainer Art Sherman said Chrome’s owners might want him to sit out the Belmont Stakes if the strip is not allowed, but fortunately we don’t have to worry about that.
According to ESPN’s Jeannine Edwards, California Chrome’s people were informed by the NYRA on Monday morning that the horse is free to use the nasal strip.
Chrome, who was a 300 to 1 underdog at the Kentucky Derby, has gone 6-0 since he began wearing the nasal strip during races. It is designed to allow more airflow into the horse’s nose while running. Sherman wondered over the weekend if not wearing the strip would affect the horse.
“I don’t think so. … But who knows because he’s had it on for all these wins?” he said.
No one should be surprised that Chrome will be allowed to wear the strip, as the horse will try to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Not having California Chrome at the Belmont Stakes would have been a ratings nightmare.
