California Chrome is headed home to California with a special bandage on his right front foot after he bumped another horse leaving the starting gate in the Belmont Stakes.
The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner had a chunk of flesh torn from his foot after bumping with Matterhorn, who was next to California Chrome in the gate Saturday. His foot has been packed for Sunday’s flight home to prevent infection.
Trainer Art Sherman says California Chrome’s foot should heal in two to three weeks. He says the chestnut colt will then rest for six to seven weeks after a tough Triple Crown campaign that involved running in three races at different tracks and distances over five weeks.
California Chrome co-owner Steve Coburn is still angry that Belmont winner Tonalist didn’t run in either of the first two legs of the Triple Crown.