Triple Crown 2014: Complete Outlook for California Chrome's Run at Belmont Park

Triple Crown hopes for California Chrome remain alive and well after two sparkling performances at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Now, the California-bred colt has his sights set on the daunting task of emerging victorious in the third jewel of the Triple Crown at the 2014 Belmont Stakes.

Belmont Park has been the Achilles' heel for many Triple Crown hopefuls since 1978, when Affirmed became the last horse to complete the feat.

Just how many of these horses have fallen victim to Belmont Park? A tweet from SportsCenter sums it up:

So, what are the chances California Chrome finally ends the 36-year Triple Crown drought?

Well, according to the latest odds from Vegas Insider, he's already a huge favorite:

Horse	Odds
California Chrome	1-1
Ride On Curlin	5-1
Tonalist	7-1
Wicked Strong	8-1
Commanding Curve	8-1
Medal Count	15-1
Samraat	20-1
Commissioner	30-1
Matuszak	30-1
Social Inclusion	30-1
Kid Cruz	30-1

Obviously, the post position draw will weigh heavily on these odds. As we know, a horse's starting position can greatly affect its chances.

Aside from lucking out in the draw, California Chrome must also overcome the obstacle of running a longer race against rested opponents.

After running in the Derby and Preakness, California Chrome will have raced three times in a matter of five weeks when he takes the track at Belmont Park.

On a lighter note, it appears many opponents are already lining up to take on California Chrome at Belmont Park—even unexpected ones—courtesy of a tweet from For The Win:

The 1 1/2-mile track could be a hindrance for his Triple Crown bid, as plenty of Belmont contenders have great endurance and closing speed.

A newcomer to the Triple Crown races, Tonalist is one horse to keep an eye on. He's very familiar with the track at Belmont Park, having won the Peter Pan Stakes there in May.

He's a very fast horse and is capable of maintaining his speed throughout the duration of the race while having plenty of endurance to make a dash down the final stretch.

Here's a look at his dominating performance at Belmont Park:

It appears Tonalist is already sharing the track with California Chrome during workouts, via a tweet from Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News:

Not only is Tonalist a severe threat to California Chrome, but Derby and Preakness contenders Wicked Strong, Danza, Commanding Curve and Ride On Curlin figure to be heavy factors as well.

All of these horses have shown great endurance and are strong closers.

While California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza look to make their signature bust in the backstretch, it will be a difficult task to fend off each of these horses due to their significant closing speed.

Let's take a look back at the Kentucky Derby. Watch as Commanding Curve makes up plenty of ground on California Chrome down the final furlong:

The Derby is a 1 1/4-mile race. With the extra quarter mile of track at Belmont Park, California Chrome's ability to hold that lead will be heavily tested.

Although, California Chrome does have one big advantage coming into the Belmont Stakes: Aside from Tonalist, he's already raced against—and beaten—all of the aforementioned horses.

California Chrome certainly has the ability to flourish at Belmont Park. We'll all be waiting with bated breath as these horses enter the gates on June 7 and California Chrome makes a run at history.

After all, trainer Art Sherman said it perfectly, according to a tweet from Tim Wilkin of the Albany Times Union:

It absolutely does, and California Chrome can become that hero in short order.