California Chrome's Connection Shouldn't Be A Dumb-Ass Partners with Horse Racing

California Chrome wrote a powerful message to all those who plan to challenge him in New York. His jockey Victor Espinoza gave all the jockeys in the race a master class on race riding. It was very exciting to watch the veteran jockey show his horse racing intelligence throughout the running of the Preakness. Often times jockeys are criticized for making wrong moves during a race, but on this occasion there was nothing but praise for the Mexican born jockey who already owned a victory in the Preakness on a much different type of horse.

At the start of the race Espinoza quickly shifted his horse outside and you can observe the jockey making calculations in his head as the race progressed. Ria Antonia was given a chance to make some noise in the race when jockey Calvin Borel sensing his only chance was to put her on the lead, to see how far she could take them. She didn't do much and was a sad mistake at the back of the pack when the race was completed. Ria Antonia's move surprised many but didn't alter Espinoza's plans. He held his position and put Luis Contreras the jockey on Social Inclusion in the position of thinking. Contreras decided to stay put and not press the lead, hoping to have the fight when they turned for home. He fought for a second then backed up to finish a well beaten third. Ride On Curlin, the horse whom I believed would give California Chrome the most problems came into the stretch full of run but still wasn't any match for the impressive California Chrome. The horse deserves much of the credit but if this horse goes onto to win the triple crown, jockey Victor Espinoza and his decision making in the Preakness will be one highlight talked about for years to come.

A day after the Preakness came word through social media that Art Sherman, the trainer of California Chrome was thinking about scratching the horse if he isn't allowed to race with a nasal strip in the Belmont Stakes. I thought the entire thing was a joke until later on in the day I watched a reporter on ESPN talking about this matter. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Horse racing was ready once again  to shoot itself in the foot. The problem with horse racing is there are way too many cooks in the kitchen. There are several jurisdictions with varying rules that complicate the sport, thus tainting it for  the public. If we had a governing body with rules that applied universally then this debacle wouldn't even be a debate a day after a stunning victory by California Chrome. Should New York and its racing commission be the villain in this matter? Absolutely not! These are the rules that are in place for their house. What is the big deal about a nasal strip? Did the nasal strip move California Chrome up since wearing them? I think the man sitting on his back is the reason this horse has moved up. Victor rode the horse masterfully in the prep races leading up to the Kentucky Derby, and when he got to the big show he gave his horse every chance to compete and be successful. In the Preakness he once again showed why he is the best pilot for this horse. How many other jockeys would have lost that race on the horse? I think many would have done something other than what Victor did and compromise the horse's chance. All jockeys are not cut from the same cloth.

The idea that the sport of horse racing wouldn't see another horse who won the first two legs of the triple crown compete in the Belmont Stakes to me is very nauseating. I'll Have Another came into the Belmont Stakes looking like a sure thing but was scratched leaving an empty feeling in the gut of horse lovers, and the occasionally viewer who tunes in when something major is happening in the sport. California Chrome should compete and compete within the guidelines set by the New York Racing Commission. This is the triple crown not some grade two event taking place at some nondescript track on an uneventful Saturday. The world is watching this event, and if he is to do what has not been done in thirty six years, then he would rightfully place himself in the conversation of those who have done it. Art Sherman is a lovely man and this moment that is being loaned to him by the racing gods shouldn't be provoked by nonsensical talk. The triple crown and all that it means to the sport is much bigger than Art Sherman and the hard working owners of this magnificent animal. Horse racing is bigger than all of them and a nasal strip. If New York was to loosen its grip on its rules simply because a trainer and owners are second guessing their participation in the sport's most prestigious event, then New York would be less than credible. Let the horse do the talking with Victor Espinoza on his back. Allow California Chrome to show all the competitors who are showing up regardless of the impressive win in the first two legs of the triple crown races that he is the best.

Give the sport what it needs and not some petty talk over nasal strip. Leg Victor Espinoza up on Belmont Stakes day. Let The Chrome come onto the track with New York, New York, glaring in the background, and let him put on a show. Then relax and enjoy the moment loaned to you by the racing gods.