Belmont Stakes Update, May 24: Chrome Takes To Wet Track; Ring Weekend Bows Out

California Chrome continues to train over the Belmont Park main track. Saturday went much smoother than Friday for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. On Friday, an opossum was seen running across the track as California Chrome was getting ready to train. California Chrome was unaffected and continued to train like he usually does. He trained over a sloppy track on Friday and the track was muddy on Saturday morning.

The wet track on Saturday also caused havoc on the workouts scheduled for possible Belmont entrants Tonalist and Samraat. Both horses are expected to work on Sunday if the weather cooperates and the track is dry. Wicked Strong, Commissioner, and Intense Holiday are also expected to workout on Sunday in preparation of the Belmont Stakes. Ride On Curlin is also expected to workout during the middle of the week according to his trainer, Bill Gowan.

On Friday, Commanding Curve worked 5 furlongs at Churchill Downs and was clocked in 59.80 seconds. Commanding Curve finished 2nd to California Chrome in the Kentucky Derby.

As expected, with two weeks until the 146th Belmont Stakes the field is still in flux. Ring Weekend was ruled out of the Belmont Stakes by trainer Graham Motion on Friday. Graham said, “I don’t see any need to come back in three weeks and run him a mile and a half. We’ve got lots of options – grass options, dirt options.”

Social Inclusion is "50-50" to enter the Belmont Stakes according to his owner, Ron Sanchez. Sanchez is considering entering him in the Metropolitan Handicap, the Woody Stephens, or Belmont Stakes on June 7.

Candy Boy is now under consideration for the Belmont Stakes after working 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 at Santa Anita. A final decision on whether Candy Boy runs in the Belmont Stakes will be made on Monday or Tuesday, according to his trainer John Sadler.

Here are the possible entrants for the 146th Belmont Stakes on June 7:

California Chrome

Candy Boy

Commanding Curve

Commissioner

Intense Holiday

Kid Cruz

Matuszak

Ride On Curlin

Samraat

Social Inclusion

Tonalist