I have been to Belmont Park on numerous occasions, paid my dollars to enter, got a racing program, listened to Tom Durkin announce the scratches, then I would quickly begin my handicapping. Along the way I took bathroom breaks or swallowed down something quickly to eat, only to quickly go back to my racing program with hopes of hitting a score. On this visit to the park something was different. There has been several attempts to win the triple crown and I have witnessed more than a few failed tries. Could it be I was feeling that California Chrome was going to do what so many others have failed to accomplish? I strolled around the track and embraced the history that looms throughout. The big picture of Secretariat with his magnificent performance in the Belmont Stakes has always been there, but I never really paid much attention while putting my voucher in the machine and selecting my picks. The hanging picture of all the great jockeys that rode at the track has always been there as well. I wondered how many people really notice anything at the track. History sits at the doorstep and I wanted to enjoy the quiet that comforts a race track on a Thursday afternoon.
I stood in the back and watched the horses parade around hoping to catch anything that would give me an edge. The jockeys walked out the jockey room and found their trainers, quickly getting into small conversations before getting a leg up for the race. The small assembly shouts out words of encouragement while the horses passed them unto the track. The statue of Secretariat watches all quietly. An EMT worker stood by the statue of Secretariat as his colleague snapped his picture. Maybe he was feeling something special is about to happen on Saturday as well.
Will California Chrome put on a performance in the Belmont Stakes like what we saw Secretariat accomplished in 1973? There is a strong possibility that we may witness something very special on June 7th. There has been eleven triple crown winners over the years. The first winner of the triple crown, Sir Barton completed the feat in 1919. The next winner of the triple crown did not happen until eleven years later when Gallant Fox performed his magic in 1930. It was another five years until the next winner, and then in the forties we were blessed with four winners, starting with Whirlaway in 1941 and ending with Citation in 1948. There wouldn't be another triple crown winner for twenty five years, when Secretariat demolished the competition in 1973. His win was followed by Seattle Slew and Affirmed who completed the hat trick in 1978. It has been thirty six years of waiting for the next great horse to achieve this monumental task. In 1981 I had my heart broken as a kid when Pleasant Colony didn't do the job. I followed this horse as a little boy hoping to see this magic take place that so many adults were talking about. He came home third that day, and I have never rooted for another triple crown winner until Real Quiet came onto the scene. He was cut from the same mold as California Chrome, the type of horse you believed the average man could have owned. I yelled when he turned for home that day, and when he hit the wire, I hoped and hoped until Victory Gallop's number flashed on the board. I felt robbed of the moment. That wasn't how the script was supposed to play out. This was the every day man's horse that was to make us all feel a part of the occasion. I gathered my belongings, and with my friends, we all strolled back to the vehicle disappointed and sad. I never again bet on a horse attempting the triple crown.
California Chrome has all the tools in his shed to make this special moment happen. He comes into the race as the best three year old in the country. However, there is something about Belmont Park that humbles great horses. The track swallows greatness and then laughs at the patrons leaving. The three year olds will attempt to navigate a mile and half for the first time, and for most, this will be the only time. This requires something special from the animal. He must be a runner that can take a deep breath throughout the race, refilling his lungs for the drive home. He must be a horse that can with stand the fury of horses that will be able to get the distance of a mile and half. He must be a horse that can settle and glide around the track unaware of how big the moment is. The jockey must not be able to hear his own heart beat during the race. He must be a jockey that is cool under pressure when the real running starts.
California Chrome's journey on Saturday is not the just the race track. He must fight all the ghosts and history that walks with a big stick at beautiful Belmont Park. He will have to fight the loudness of New Yorkers on a late Saturday afternoon after a few beverages have been consumed. The New York experience will be different from any other he has had on this journey. He must overcome all the obstacles that will be thrown at him during this race.
There is a reason only eleven horses have completed this magical moment. It requires a special type of animal to win all three legs of the triple crown. California Chrome should be a fresh, rested horse coming into the race. He has had three weeks off and should have recovered lovely from the Preakness, but so many others are chomping at the bit to come after him. They have had five weeks between races and are jumping out of their skin.
Will the triple crown ghosts give him a pass on Saturday and let him do what so many others have failed to do? If he is worthy for the club then admission may be granted, otherwise many will be ripping up tickets, packing their belongings and walking quietly to the LIRR or their waiting vehicles.
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