The Triple Crown: Can California Chrome Win It All?

One win away from the first Triple Crown in 36 years. We’ll look at horse racing now, and California Chrome.

California Chrome got his name for his flashy white markings on all four legs.  Legs so powerful that the Cinderella story horse now prepping for the Belmont Stakes could soon be the first thoroughbred in 36 years to win the Triple Crown:  Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes — all three.  In a world of million-dollar pedigrees, this is a $10,000 horse, with a modesty to his entourage that has charmed the nation.  Horse racing is not always charming.  But it’s in a charmed moment right now.  This hour On Point:  the California Chrome story, and the race for the Triple Crown.
-- Tom Ashbrook

Andy Serling, handicapper for the New York Racing Association. (@andyserling)

Claire Novak, online features editor for Blood-Horse Magazine. (@bh_cnovak)

Bill Dwyre, sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times. (@DwyreLATimes)

Tom Durkin, sportscaster and thoroughbred horse racing announcer.

Washington Post: When handicapper Andy Serling talks, bettors listen — "Even the most self-reliant horseplayers took notice when, on the second day of the season, Serling picked five winners, paying $11.80, $11.40, $16.80, $7.50 and $9.10. On the day of a Pick Six carryover, his top selections captured the first three legs of the wager, paying $11.60, $15.80 and $10, and then he nailed an impossible-looking $27.60 winner who helped produce a Pick Six return of $78,716."

Blood-Horse: Waiting, and Waiting, for Crowning Glory -- "In the same room with the banners at the Louisville museum, a podium rises about six feet from the ground to ensure prime viewing of a silver trophy with gold studs. Atop the base sits an inverted pyramid with each side bearing the name of one of three races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont. This is the Triple Crown trophy."

Los Angeles Times: Crowns all around for Kings and California Chrome? -- "For California Chrome, rags-to-riches doesn't quite capture it. When he started, he wasn't an underdog, he was a no-chance. He makes '09 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, a 50-1 longshot, look like the 10th seed in a tennis tournament. If California Chrome were one of those young pitchers from India earning a pro baseball contract and featured in the current movie 'Million Dollar Arm,' he would have gone on to pitch a no-hitter in the seventh game of the World Series."