Belmont Stakes 2014 Contenders: California Chrome and More Favorites
Checking in at 3-5 odds, per BelmontStakes.com, California Chrome is the clear favorite to win the last jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday.
After winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, he can become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978.
The horse and his team have gone through a whirlwind of media attention leading up to the race, but that hasn't hurt trainer Art Sherman's outlook on the big race. Per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), he said:
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
"I feel better about this race than I have any other race, to be honest with you, just looking at the horse and saying, wow. I see how far he's advanced. I know it'll be tougher going a mile and a half, but this horse is a good horse. I think he's the real McCoy.
"
The distance and potential fatigue are perhaps the biggest concerns for California Chrome. Though he has appeared to be a supernatural talent up to this point, the mile-and-a-half distance, plus the constant media presence, could weigh on him.
Who are California Chrome's biggest challengers? Let's take a look at the odds table and post positions.
| 1 | Medal Count | 20-1 |
| 2 | California Chrome | 3-5 |
| 3 | Matterhorn | 30-1 |
| 4 | Commanding Curve | 15-1 |
| 5 | Ride On Curlin | 12-1 |
| 6 | Matuszak | 30-1 |
| 7 | Samraat | 20-1 |
| 8 | Commissioner | 20-1 |
| 9 | Wicked Strong | 6-1 |
| 10 | General a Rod | 20-1 |
| 11 | Tonalist | 8-1 |
Wicked Strong
Famed trainer of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, Billy Turner told Newsday's Ed McNamara, "I think some of the horses who skipped the Preakness will be formidable foes."
Wicked Strong didn't run at the Preakness after his fourth-place finish at the Kentucky Derby.
As a result, he should be fresh for the Belmont Stakes. Just prior to his run at the Derby, he captured the Grade 1 Wood Memorial.
The horse is on the radar of most experts, and that's the reason his odds are the closest to California Chrome's.
Tonalist
Not many are talking about Tonalist, but he's one to watch. He has run just four times officially and captured two of those races.
His most recent win came at Belmont Park in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes last month.
While he did run on May 10, the colt has very little mileage on him overall. The hesitation in getting behind Tonalist is based on the fact that his triumphs haven't come against top-notch fields like the one he'll face on Saturday.
Still, it's hard to ignore his success at the same venue.
Race stats per Equibase.com
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
