Racing Officials: California Chrome Can Wear Nasal Strip During Belmont Stakes

By Rick Howlett

Published May 19, 2014 at 5:59 PM EDT

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome and his competitors will be allowed to wear a nasal strip in the Belmont Stakes next month.

Stewards at Belmont Park today granted a request from trainer Art Sherman for the colt to wear the strip, which helps with breathing.The decision came after consultation with the equine medical director of the New York State Gaming Commission, who says the strips do not enhance performance or pose a safety risk.Sherman suggested Sunday that California Chrome might not run in the Belmont if New York racing officials did not now allow use of the nasal strip. They had previously been disallowed during races.The Belmont Stakes will be run June 7. California Chrome will try to become the first thoroughbred since Affirmed in 1978 to win racing’s Triple Crown.

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Rick Howlett

Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.

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