Sherack at the Belmont Stakes: Rush Hour

   There has been plenty to soak in during the early training hours at Big Sandy immediately following sunrise all throughout GI Belmont S. week.
   A cloudy and cool Wednesday morning greeted impressive GII Peter Pan S. winner Tonalist (Tapit) as he turned in another good-looking gallop shortly after 6 a.m. 
   A slew of media and photographers rushing to the rail by the clubhouse turn shortly thereafter could only mean one thing: California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) was on his way to the track. The Triple Crown hopeful stepped foot onto the 1 1/2-mile oval at 6:15 a.m. to the very familiar sound of clicking cameras, and received a nice pat on his neck from assistant trainer Alan Sherman as he was sent on his way jogging clockwise along the outer rail. 
   Just as they did beneath the Twin Spires, California Chrome came charging through the stretch first with his blaze-faced rival Commanding Curve (Master Command) following him home moments later. A command of “easy now” from Willie Delgado meant that it was time for California Chrome to be shut down upon entering the clubhouse turn for the second time. 
   The impressive-sized crowd (keep in mind how early it was) quickly vanished to get a jump on California Chrome before he began his voyage back to Barn 26. 
   Meanwhile, Belmont S. second-choice and Kentucky Derby fourth Wicked Strong (Hard Spun) took care of business on the training track, including an uneventful gate schooling session. After watching Commanding Curve get his bath back at the Dallas Stewart barn (must admit that it was pretty cool seeing West Point head Terry Finley on the shank), West Point’s Tom Bellhouse returned to the rail to take in some more of the action. 
   Despite his well-documented meltdown in the gate earlier this week, the GII Woody Stephens S.-bound Social Inclusion (Pioneerof the Nile) has looked as strong as ever during his gallops this week. The Preakness third-place finisher bounced onto the track with good energy at 7 a.m. 
   The large contingent of photographers slowly made their way back as two-time champion and GI Ogden Phipps S. morning-line favorite Beholder (Henny Hughes) was as calm as could be while setting up shop near the clubhouse turn under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. It really has been a treat to see such a classy filly train all week in New York. 
   With owner Daniel Dougherty in attendance, Ride On Curlin (Curlin) couldn’t have been held any harder during his gallop (that has to be a good sign, right?) at 7:10 a.m. Trainer Billy Gowan seemed to be quite pleased as he continued to watch the Preakness runner-up round the clubhouse turn. 
   While Matuszak (Bernardini) hasn’t been given much attention for a race of this caliber courtesy of his past performances–including a well-beaten second behind Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid) in Pimlico’s Federico Tesio S. last time Apr. 19–the dark bay made a favorable impression during a routine gallop yesterday while not equipped with a Belmont S. saddle towel. You really never can count out Hall of Famer Bill Mott, that’s for sure. 
   Goldencents (Into Mischief), one of the main contenders in a loaded renewal of the GI Metropolitan H., rolled by the clubhouse turn at 7:40 a.m. and was hard to miss with his red shadow roll while on his toes upon his exit. 
   With training hours nearing the wire shortly after 9 a.m., the sun finally made an appearance as the temperatures remained very pleasant in the high 60s. 
   California Chrome’s colorful co-owner/breeder Steve Coburn was at the center of attention (honestly, when isn’t he?) by the track apron with video cameras recording his every move, just before it was time to head off to the fourth floor Garden Terrace for the Post Position Draw.