AC

BALTIMORE -- California Chrome's bid for the Triple Crown might be abandoned if New York racing officials do not allow the colt to wear a nasal strip in the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Art Sherman suggested it was a possibility, although he made no threats about California Chrome passing on a chance to become horse racing's 12th Triple Crown winner. "I'd have to leave it up to the owners," he said Sunday. "I know they'll be upset." After meeting with the New York Racing Association stewards (Steve Lewandowski, Dr. Ted Hill and Braulio Baeza) and after receiving a statement from the New York Gaming Commission saying the commission is handing over discretion on this matter to the stewards, Martin Panza, director of racing for NYRA, said Sunday afternoon he reached out to assistant trainer Alan Sherman to say he or Art Sherman simply needs to call the stewards and make a formal request for permission to use the nasal strip. It will then be up to the stewards, with Lewandowski being the...