The Last Leg Of The Triple Crown
And so the dreams of history begin. They begin for Art Sherman, Steve Coburn and his partners, and they begin for you and me. Dreams of something that hasn’t happened since 1978, and I don’t mean my waistline from that time period. California Chrome has set himself up as the odds on favorite for the Belmont Stakes, with an impressive victory in the Preakness. I was very nervous about Social Inclusion, but my nerves were better than his because he was foaming as if he was a warm beer poured fast.
Let’s go back till the first weekend in April. I was at Aqueduct for the Wood Memorial, where Social Inclusion came in third after a nerve wreaking post parade. Once again Social Inclusion was lathered, nervous and agitated in the Preakness just like he did before the Wood Memorial. Chrome on the other hand was as cool as a California cucumber as he destroyed the field at the Santa Anita Derby on the same April day.
He broke clean once again in the Preakness, as he did in the Derby. He sat in the pocket of third for the first ¾ mile and then made his move to first as if he was peddling a 10 speed bike going downhill. He was smooth as baby food and he ran as if he owed people money. And some of that money was mine, having locked in at the bargain price of 3-2 odds thanks to those foolish people at TVG.
And now we wait. The talking heads of the sports world will act as if they were into horse racing all along, and will proclaim California Chrome was their pick. Grandma and grandpa will love the fact that he could be the first horse to win the Triple Crown at Belmont since Affirmed in 1978. And I’m guaranteeing it.
Do you want to know how sure I am that a Triple Crown will be won this year? It’s because I won’t be there. I had planned to go the Belmont for the stakes race that day, but do to my knee replacement surgery the week before the Belmont; I’m on the injured reserve list. That’s how sure I am that he’s going to win the Belmont, it’s because I won’t be there. (Sure I’m self centered, but I’m cute)
I had planned on being there when the white carnations were adorned on to Cali Chrome’s back. BUT NO! I will be walking around my house with a walker or crutches, unable to move quickly enough to get out of my own way, but I need it.
That’s how sure I am of Chrome winning. Not because he is a great champion, it’s because I won’t be there. And I’m pretty mad about it. However, I know how my legs felt at Aqueduct back in April and it proved to me that I need the surgery that has kept me out of work for the past three weeks, forcing me to slowly go insane sitting home waiting to go under the knife.
So bet the farm, steal from the kid’s college fund or charge it on your credit card, just place everything that you have on Cali Chrome. I know that I’m ego centric; my wife won’t let me forget it. It’s also how my luck is. For a horse player, I am the most unlucky dude in the free world, meaning Cali Chrome will win the Belmont. Not because he will destroy the field, not because of the speed ratings or the skill of Victor Espinosa. It’s all because of me and the fact that I won’t be there at Belmont that we will have a Triple Crown champion for 2014. Yes, it is all about me. Riders Up.