Horse racing

Nasal strip tumult hits Chrome camp

BALTIMORE -- Twenty-seven opponents at Churchill Downs and Pimlico haven't been able to stop California Chrome, and neither could a cough caused by a tickle in his throat.

But when the conversation turned Sunday to New York racing's murky stance on the use of nasal strips, which Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome has worn during a six-race winning streak, trainer Art Sherman stoked controversy with his remarks

Sherman said California Chrome has worn a Flair nasal strip since co-owner Perry Martin suggested it to the trainer back in December said Martin might want him to scratch California Chrome from a Triple Crown bid if he's not allowed to wear the strip, which is legal in virtually all of this country's racing jurisdictions.

"That's going to be interesting. Perry is funny about things like that," Sherman said. "It might be an issue. I'm not saying it will be. I'll let the owners make the decision.

"They allow it [in New York] in harness racing but not for thoroughbreds. That's bogus."

Daily Racing Form reported Sunday night that Martin Panza, the New York Racing Association's senior vice president of racing operations, said Sherman made a formal request to Belmont Park's stewards Sunday afternoon to allow California Chrome to wear the nasal strip, and that the decision was expected within 24 to 48 hours.

The New York State Racing Commission's thoroughbred rule 4033.8 states: "Only equipment specifically approved by the stewards shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse in a race."

"I don't know why they'd keep you from wearing it," said Sherman, who was surprised when informed of the rule Sunday morning. "But we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Even if the strip were not allowed, it would be surprising if a horse were scratched one win away from joining racing's most elite fraternity. Sherman said jokingly he could run his star instead in the July 5 Los Alamitos Derby, saying, "Orange County would be pretty overcrowded that day."

The issue was first raised by Daily Racing Form in light of a similar situation in 2012. New York regulators said I'll Have Another, who also won the first two legs of the Triple Crown, couldn't wear a nasal strip in the Belmont; it became a moot point when the colt was scratched a day before the race.

But circumstances were different in 2012. I'll Have Another's trainer, Doug O'Neill, had been suspended because of a third performance-enhancing violation, and I'll Have Another, along with the other Belmont contenders, was put under 24-hour surveillance by New York officials.

Whether or not a horse can compete wearing a nasal strip is decided by New York Racing Association stewards.

"To me, I think it helps," Sherman said. "[But] it's not going to move him up 5 or 6 lengths. It's a breathing thing. He'd probably be OK, but you hate to change things.

"We've used it every time (for races), but we never train him with one in the morning, and even when I breeze him, I never put one on. I don't think it would ever stop him, but people get funny. It's a national thing, Flair Nasal Strips; a lot of people use them, especially in California."

The nasal-strip prohibition does not come from the New York State Gaming Commission, whose predecessor, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, approved such use in October 1999. It allows nasal strips to be used in Standardbred racing.

The strips, however, have not been permitted at NYRA tracks at the discretion of stewards under a one-sentence, catch-all equipment state regulation that states: "Only equipment specifically approved by the stewards shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse in a race."

When the NYSRWB approved use of nasal strips in 1999, it was done so with the provision that they would be re-evaluated.

I'll tell you one thing about these owners: They're funny about stuff like that," Art Sherman said with a laugh. "Perry might say, 'Well, he's done enough, let's go to the Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II on July 5).' I've hardly ever run any horses with a nasal strip except him. We don't want to change it if we don't have to."

Sherman said Martin suggested last year he try a nasal strip on California Chrome.

"I'm very serious about that. Perry Martin might say, 'If I can't put it on the horse, I'm not sending him over there.' I mean, they might be superstitious about it."

California Chrome, sans nasal strip, chomped on hay in his stall inside Pimlico's stakes barn as co-owner Steve Coburn showed him off to a woman and her two young daughters. A NYRA statement said the colt is expected to arrive Tuesday morning at Belmont. Assistant trainer Alan Sherman will accompany him to Long Island while his father returns to Southern California to supervise his stable at Los Alamitos.

Triple Crown contenders are 0-for-11 in the 11/2-mile Belmont since Affirmed's 1978 sweep. NYRA named Commanding Curve, Danza, Wicked Strong, Ride On Curlin, Social Inclusion, Tonalist, Commissioner, Samraat and Intense Holiday as possible challengers to California Chrome.

"I don't care how many fresh shooters they've got there," Art Sherman said. "He's the real McCoy. I'm really confident. I have a good feeling going into this race."

Sports on 05/19/2014

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