Amidst the start of the Virginia vs. Maryland NCAA baseball super regional tomorrow is the story of a horse from a humble background going for the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes race at Belmont Park in New York.
California Chrome's owners are first-time breeders and only paid $10,000 for his parents. His mom was considered skittish and his father was considered washed up, according to multiple reports. The owners' (Steve Coburn and wife Carolyn, and Perry Martin) team name, Dumbass Partners, is a jab at what they were called for buying Chrome's parents. The fact that California Chrome ended up being a Triple Crown hopeful is an underdog story of the best variety.
If California Chrome wins Saturday, it will be the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. In all, there have been 11 horses that have won Triple Crowns. The last horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was I'll Have Another in 2012. He did not race at Belmont, though, as it was discovered he had a tendon injury before the race. In 2008, almost the same thing happened with Big Brown, who was going for the Crown. Coming out of the gate for the race, his jockey pulled up when he realized Big Brown was hurt. He ended up having a crack in his hoof. The last Triple Crown-hopeful horse to actually finish at Belmont was Smarty Jones in 2004. He finished second to long shot Birdstone.
Coverage of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday starts at 4:30 p.m. on NBC. If you want additional coverage, it starts at 2:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. Post time for the race is 6:30 and the approximate start time is 6:52.
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| Jockey Victor Espinoza atop California Chrome. (Benoit photo) |
California Chrome's owners are first-time breeders and only paid $10,000 for his parents. His mom was considered skittish and his father was considered washed up, according to multiple reports. The owners' (Steve Coburn and wife Carolyn, and Perry Martin) team name, Dumbass Partners, is a jab at what they were called for buying Chrome's parents. The fact that California Chrome ended up being a Triple Crown hopeful is an underdog story of the best variety.
If California Chrome wins Saturday, it will be the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. In all, there have been 11 horses that have won Triple Crowns. The last horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was I'll Have Another in 2012. He did not race at Belmont, though, as it was discovered he had a tendon injury before the race. In 2008, almost the same thing happened with Big Brown, who was going for the Crown. Coming out of the gate for the race, his jockey pulled up when he realized Big Brown was hurt. He ended up having a crack in his hoof. The last Triple Crown-hopeful horse to actually finish at Belmont was Smarty Jones in 2004. He finished second to long shot Birdstone.
Coverage of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday starts at 4:30 p.m. on NBC. If you want additional coverage, it starts at 2:30 p.m. on NBC Sports Network. Post time for the race is 6:30 and the approximate start time is 6:52.
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