Gary Mihoces

USA TODAY Sports

BALTIMORE – By a nose could take on a whole new meaning for California Chrome in his quest to win horse racing's first Triple Crown in 36 years.

The California-bred 3-year-old has won six consecutive races wearing nasal strips designed to open up his air passages. His trainer says that if New York racing officials rule California Chrome can't wear them in the June 7 Belmont Stakes, he might not run the race that could give him the feat.

"I don't know why they would ban you from wearing one. But we'll have to cross that bridge when we get there, I guess," 77-year-old Art Sherman said Sunday, a day after California Chrome followed up his victory in the Kentucky Derby with a win in the Preakness Stakes.

California Chrome is scheduled to be shipped Tuesday from Pimlico Race Course to Belmont Park, where race officials will make the call on whether the strips — legal in all other states — will be permitted.

The New York Daily News reported Sunday that the request had been made and racing stewards were considering it. If the answer is no, Sherman said it would be up to co-owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin whether to run in the Belmont, which is the longest Triple Crown race at a mile and a half.

Talking about the benefit of the strip, Sherman said, "It opens up his air passage. It gives him that extra little oomph … especially going a mile and a half."

He said he started using the strips at Martin's suggestion.

"Perry Martin ... he might not run if they say you can't run with a nasal strip. He's very funny about things like that," Sherman said.

Martin and his family did not attend the Preakness. Coburn said it was because Martin was upset with the hospitality in Kentucky during the Derby.

"(Martin) could say, 'Hey, I don't understand why they won't let me run (in New York). Maybe they don't want us there,'<TH>" Sherman said.

Before California Chrome, I'll Have Another was the last horse to win the Derby and Preakness, in 2012. He had worn nasal strips, but his handlers were told he couldn't wear them in the Belmont Stakes. They were preparing to do so until I'll Have Another was scratched with a leg injury the day before the race.

The New York State Gaming Commission issued a statement Sunday saying, "The decision on whether to permit them or not will be fully evaluated and determined by the stewards." It cited its Rule 4033.8, which states, "Only equipment specifically approved by the stewards shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse in a race."

The decision will be made by three stewards: Stephen Lewandowski of the state gaming commission, veterinarian Ted Hill of The Jockey Club and Braulio Baeza Jr. of the New York Racing Association. Lewandowski is new to his post since the ruling on I'll Have Another. He replaced retired Carmine Donofrio this year.

Kentucky's senior state steward, Barbara Borden, said the state considers nasal strips unregulated equipment, such as bandages on horses' legs during races. She told The (Louisville) Courier-Journal that nasal strips originally required permission to be put on or taken off a horse, same as with blinkers, but that hasn't been the policy for years.

Sherman said his horse uses Flair nasal strips, adhesive strips similar to nasal strips used by humans but larger. For horses, they are placed on the face above the nostrils.

The website of Flair Equine Nasal Strips says the strips work by "gently holding open" the nasal passages. It says they provide "drug-free benefits … at a time when there is a public outcry, both from horse enthusiasts and the public at large, to stop the use of drugs in human and animal athletes."

In New York, harness racing horses are allowed to use them.

"All over the country they let you wear them. Why would New York not?" Sherman said. "A lot of horses all over California wear them all the time. You might see three or four horses in a race wearing them."

Really, might California Chrome not run a race that could make him the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978?

"I can't call that," said Sherman. "I'd have to leave it up to the owners. But I know they'll be upset."

Meanwhile, Sherman said he thinks his horse will win the Triple Crown, provided he races. "I do. I have a good feeling about it. I'm really confident for this race after watching him run (Saturday) with two weeks' (rest) and showing the courage that he had," he said. "You know, they better have their running shoes on.''

But the immediate question: Will California Chrome have nasal strips on?

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