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 New York Racing Association (NYRA) stewards released a statement
on Monday saying they had changed their policy banning the use of
the adhesive strips, saying all horses would be allowed to wear them
from now on.
"I recommend that the stewards at state-based thoroughbred
racetracks discontinue their ban on equine nasal strips," New York
State Gaming Commission equine medical director Scott Palmer said in
a joint statement from the NYRA, the state's gaming commission and
the Jockey Club.
"Equine nasal strips do not enhance equine performance nor do they
pose a risk to equine health or safety and as such do not need to be
regulated."
The announcement averted the possibility that California Chrome
could skip the race and forego his chance to become the first horse
in 36 years to complete the Triple Crown.
The three-year-old has already won the first two legs - the Kentucky
Derby and Preakness Stakes - but California Chrome trainer Art
Sherman raised the possibility he would not run in the Belmont if
prevented from wearing a nasal strip.
When news of the rule change was announced on Monday, Sherman
stables confirmed the horse would go for the Triple Crown.
"California Chrome will run in Belmont Stakes, nasal strip was
approved," the stable tweeted.
Only 11 horses, including the legendary Secretariat, have won the
Triple Crown, with Affirmed, in 1978, the most recent.
California Chrome is the 13th horse since Affirmed to have won the
Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but none have gone on and won the
Belmont, which is held over one and half miles (2400 meters), the
longest and most grueling of the three races.
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U.S. race fans are already giddy with excitement at the prospect the
long drought could soon be over although California Chrome still
faces a touch challenge. Although the final field for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes will
not be decided until a few days before the race, the contenders are
already lining up.
Commanding Curve, Danza, Wicked Strong and Samraat - which finished
second, third, fourth and fifth in the Kentucky Derby, are all
expected to race after skipping the Preakness to save their energy.
And Ride On Curlin and Social Inclusion, which finished second and
third in the Preakness, are also likely to join the field.
(Reporting by Julian Linden; Editing by Larry Fine)
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