CALIFORNIA CHROME CAN WEAR NASAL STRIP

Coming into today no one was sure if California Chrome, winner of the first two Triple Crown races; would be able to compete in the Belmont Stakes because he may not be able to were a nasal strip. Well, all doubts are resolved. The New York Racing Association stewards, after consultation with New York State Gaming Commission equine medical director Scott Palmer, on Monday unanimously approved the use of equine nasal strips at all NYRA racetracks, effective immediately.”I recommend that the stewards at state-based thoroughbred racetracks discontinue their ban on equine nasal strips,” Palmer wrote. “Equine nasal strips do not enhance equine performance nor do they pose a risk to equine health or safety and as such do not need to be regulated. While there is research to indicate that equine nasal strips decrease airway resistance in horses and may decrease the amount of bleeding associated with EIPH to some degree, I am unfamiliar with any research indicating that equine nasal strips enable a horse to run faster with nasal strips than without them. In other words, there is no evidence they have a performance enhancing effect.” Two years ago I’ll have another won the 1st two legs but WASN’T allowed to wear a nasal strip at Belmont and was scratched. A horse hasn’t won the Triple Crown since 1978, which was Affirmed.