Santa Anita's California Chrome Fans To Be In Belmont State Of Mind

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Santa Anita is having some fun with the nasal strips worn by Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome.

The suburban Los Angeles track will give fans free souvenir nasal strips next Saturday, the same day the chestnut colt runs in the Belmont Stakes on the other side of the country trying to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner in 36 years.

The nasal strips are purple with the word "Chrome" across the front.

The track where California Chrome has run some of his races is also giving the first 10,000 fans with paid admission a Belmont button that says "Bring It Home California Chrome."

"It's up to the horse. I think the horse is good enough," assistant trainer Alan Sherman said after Saturday's timed workout at Belmont Park. "We will find out Saturday."

Belmont Park stewards agreed last month to allow California Chrome to wear his usual nasal strips when he runs in the 1 ½-mile Belmont. The strips are thought to help airflow though the nostrils.

The nosewear has since inspired an odd line from the site SportsBettingDime.com.

"Nasal strip falls off and hits jockey in the face causing disruption in concentration: 200-1."

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