The emergence of California Chrome as the favorite to win the first Triple
Crown in 36 years at this Saturday’s Belmont Stakes has the potential to
reinvigorate horse racing’s aura as a beloved American pastime.
The horse, a 3-5 favorite to become the 12th ever Triple Crown winner, has successfully captivated the hearts and minds of horse racing throwbacks who long for the nostalgic days of fabled horses such as Secretariat and Seabiscuit. A petty controversy over Chrome’s use of equine nasal strips has also generated a mini-cult following of its own.
Critics might argue that much of the excitement is rather unwarranted. After all, since 1978 – when Affirmed claimed the last Triple Crown, a dozen horses (including my personal favorite, Smarty Jones) have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to fall short at the Belmont Stakes.
But there seems to be something special about California Chrome and this race in particular. It seems to be driven largely by the horse’s underdog prestige – a sure-fire way of quickly growing a fan base. The goofy nasal strip scandal seems to be helping out nicely as well, with Breathe Right cashing in on the action and setting up a promotional rally at Saturday’s race.
continue to read here
The horse, a 3-5 favorite to become the 12th ever Triple Crown winner, has successfully captivated the hearts and minds of horse racing throwbacks who long for the nostalgic days of fabled horses such as Secretariat and Seabiscuit. A petty controversy over Chrome’s use of equine nasal strips has also generated a mini-cult following of its own.
Critics might argue that much of the excitement is rather unwarranted. After all, since 1978 – when Affirmed claimed the last Triple Crown, a dozen horses (including my personal favorite, Smarty Jones) have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness only to fall short at the Belmont Stakes.
But there seems to be something special about California Chrome and this race in particular. It seems to be driven largely by the horse’s underdog prestige – a sure-fire way of quickly growing a fan base. The goofy nasal strip scandal seems to be helping out nicely as well, with Breathe Right cashing in on the action and setting up a promotional rally at Saturday’s race.
continue to read here
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