July 7, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Trainer Hopeful California Chrome Wins Triple Crown

California Chrome
California Chrome, shown here finishing at the Preakness, attempts to be the first horse to win the Triple Crown in more than 35 years. (Creative Commons)

With a little more than a week to go before a race that could make Orange County-based California Chrome the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years, the thoroughbred’s trainer said today that he’s more confident coming up to the Belmont Stakes than he has been with any other race.

“I really think he’s the real McCoy and I think you’re going to see a champion,” trainer Art Sherman said in a conference call with reporters from his base at the Los Alamitos Race Course. “I feel more confident, I think, coming into this race, than I did any other race,” Sherman said of the upcoming June 7 race that’s expected to draw a huge crowd in New York.

California Chrome – a California-bred colt with a modest pedigree – is expected to be an overwhelming favorite in the Belmont after his wins in the Santa Anita Derby and the first two legs of the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

If he wins the Belmont, California Chrome would be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Sherman noted that the 1 1/2-mile distance of the Belmont is a “whole new ball game,” but said he knows his horse is “coming into this race great.”

“I feel good about this race coming up. He’s coming into it perfect,” he said.

Sherman said the 3-year-old flashy chestnut with a large white blaze – who has a legion of followers dubbed “Chromies” – “doesn’t want any horse passing him.”

“He’s done about everything I could imagine him doing and he’s got such a fan base in California, it’s unbelievable, and he’s the people’s horse,” Sherman said. “It’s unbelievable for me … I’ve got to pinch myself every once in a while and say, `Wow, what a run this has been!”’

Jimmy Jerkens, who trains the fourth-place Kentucky Derby finisher Wicked Strong, said of California Chrome, “It’ll take a combination of things to beat him. That’s for sure.”

“One of our horses will have to run the race of their lives and California Chrome will have to throw in a clunker,” Jerkens said.

Billy Gowan, who trains the Preakness runner-up Ride On Curlin, called California Chrome “a tough horse,” but noted that Ride On Curlin has gotten “closer to California Chrome than anybody else has this year.”

He said he wouldn’t feel bad at all if his trainee beats California Chrome.

“If I can do it in the Belmont, I wouldn’t be too upset … I’d be elated to tell you the truth,” Gowan said.

Dallas Stewart, who trains Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, said he was “wrong” when he dismissed California Chrome in the Kentucky Derby.

Sherman said he believes “a lot of people have a lot more respect” for California Chrome than they did going into the Kentucky Derby.

“I know that he’s made a lot of guys look some place else to run,” Sherman said.

Related Posts

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

(Video) Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp from celebrated cookbook author Kiano Moju Has Been Extended Until July 3 at Citizen Public Market

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Bold Flavors and Spice Merge with Crisp, Chewy Chapati. Delicious With a Caring Chef and Staff. Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...