Thomas Godoj Thread » nine interceptions. In fact, Phil

BALTIMORE -- It gets even harder from here on out for California Chrome. He won easily in his home state of California, he dazzled in the Kentucky Derby and he dug deep to win the Preakness on Saturday. Now comes the toughest test of all, the Belmont Stakes in three weeks. The chestnut colt with four white feet will attempt to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, something that hasnt been done since Affirmed in 1978. Since then, 12 horses have won the first two legs and failed to complete the sweep in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont; the last was Ill Have Another, who was scratched on the eve of the Belmont two years ago. "You have to have a very good horse to win these three races," said Art Sherman, the winning 77-year-old trainer. "Im hoping Ive got one right now." Maybe the horse with the modest pedigree and average Joe owners is the one. California Chrome defeated Ride On Curlin by 1 1/2 lengths in the Preakness, covering 1 3/16 miles in 1:54.84 on a sunny and cool day at Pimlico. Hes now won six straight races. The streak started with four in a row in California by a combined 24 1/4 lengths. Then California Chrome coasted home in the Derby by 1 3/4 lengths after opening up a big lead in the stretch. The margin dwindled in the Preakness as he fought off multiple challengers. California Chromes co-owner Steve Coburn shed tears after his colt crossed the finish line, dabbing them away with a blue-and-white bandanna. "I dont mean to be bold or cocky or arrogant," Coburn said. "I saw this baby when he was a day old, I told my wife, Carolyn, this horse is going to do something big. I dont know what it is, but were going to stay in the game to make sure this colt gets to be the best that he can be." Quite a statement from a guy with a one-horse stable. Coburn and partner Perry Martin bred an $8,000 mare to a $2,500 stallion to produce California Chrome. Based on the colts humble breeding, he probably shouldnt be on the verge of making history. His mother, named Love the Chase, won just one race. The owners were long shots to get this far, too. Coburn and Martin named their operation DAP Racing, which stands for Dumb Ass Partners. Their silks include an image of a donkey. Coburn and Perry who live on each side of the California-Nevada border get up early for their jobs -- Coburn working as a press operator and Martin running a lab that tests high-reliability equipment. "We just hope that this horse is letting America know that the little guy can win," Coburn said. Sent off as the overwhelming 1-2 favourite by a record crowd of 123,469, California Chrome bounced out of the gate running, with jockey Victor Espinoza moving the colt into the clear. Pablo Del Monte, a 34-1 shot, charged to the lead and was soon joined by filly Ria Antonia. Espinoza tucked California Chrome into third, an ideal spot behind the leaders. They stayed there until making their move approaching the final turn. "I had to move early today," Espinoza said. "I had to start moving at the half-mile pole, which is tough for a horse to start moving early and keep going all the way to the end. California Chrome proved he can move." California Chrome went for the lead, catching Pablo Del Monte while Social Inclusion joined the chase. Pablo Del Monte soon dropped back along the rail, and California Chrome sprinted away from Social Inclusion at the top of the stretch. But there was one more challenge to come. Ride On Curlin, next-to-last in the 10-horse field, ranged up and briefly appeared ready to overtake California Chrome. Once again showing his class, California Chrome denied the threat. "Its an awesome feeling," Espinoza said. "Today it was just a crazy race. I got more tired mentally than physically. I see another horse go to the front. I was going to sit second. ... I sit back, as soon as the other horse got clear of me, it worked out perfect." Social Inclusion was ridden by Luis Contreras, a jockey based at Torontos Woodbine Racetrack. California Chrome paid $3, $3 and $2.40. Ride On Curlin returned $5.60 and $3.80, while Social Inclusion was another 6 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $3.40 as the 5-1 second choice. General a Rod was fourth, followed by Ring Weekend, Pablo Del Monte, Dynamic Impact, Kid Cruz, Bayern and Ria Antonia. Dynamic Impact is trained by Mark Casse, who is also based at Woodbine. Espinoza will get another crack at trying to complete the Triple Crown, after missing with War Emblem in 2002. He finished eighth in the Belmont that year. "You have to be a super horse to win," the jockey said. "Hopefully, California Chrome comes back good, and hes the one that hopefully can do it." Bob Baffert trained War Emblem, one of his three Triple tries that ended in failure. He missed with Silver Charm in 1997 and again the following year with Real Quiet, who lost the Belmont by a nose. "California Chrome is something. Hes a cool customer," Baffert said after the race. "He does everything right. Hes fast enough to stay out of trouble." Nike Zoom Saldi . - Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has signed with WME-IMG, saying the sports management powerhouse will help maximize the value of my brand. Nike Zoom Offerta . -- Kurt Buschs Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon. http://www.nikezoomscontate.it/.com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Nike Zoom Scontate . -- Rookie Victor Oladipo came off the bench to score 20 points and Glen Davis had 18, leading the Orlando Magic to a 112-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. Nike Zoom Outlet Italia . - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was so busy in free agency he didnt mind having a few extra weeks to prepare for the draft.WASHINGTON - The NFC East title could very well hinge on whether the Philadelphia Eagles or Dallas Cowboys slip up against the lowly Washington Redskins.The Eagles (9-5) go first with a Saturday visit to Washington. Then the first-place Cowboys (10-4) head to the nations capital a week later for their season finale.Philadelphia holds the tiebreaker over Dallas, but thats moot if the Cowboys win out. The Eagles have lost two in a row and could very well end up with 11 wins and no trip to the playoffs, even though their record would be at least three games better than the winner of NFC South.If we win 11 games and its not good enough to get in, shame on us because we didnt win the right games, Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly said. Thats the bottom line. Thats what this whole deal is all about, and we know it going in.Few are expecting much resistance from the Redskins (3-11), who have lost six straight and just made their fifth starting quarterback change this season. Theyve lost their past three games by 22, 24 and 11 points.But strange things sometimes happen: Washingtons signature win this year came on a Monday night in October at Dallas, and the Redskins top offensive output came when they gained 427 yards in a 37-34 loss at Philadelphia in September.Weve got to play in a crucial situation, and somebodys got to rise above it and make a play. Unfortunately, we were unable to do that against Philadelphia, first-year Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. It was obviously a very good game, but we came out on the short end of the stick, which isnt good enough.Heres more to notice as the teams convene on the last Saturday before Christmas, when disgruntled, gone-shopping Redskins fans will leave more room in the stadium than usual for the familiar vocal contingent from Philly:QB TRIALS: Mark Sanchez knows what its like to be hurt, and what its like to have people questioning his competence. Maybe Robert Griffin III could use him as a role model.Sanchez has had a revival of sorts in Philadelphia after four challenging years with the New York Jets. Hes kept the Eagles afloat as the starting quarterback while Nick Foles recovers from a broken collarbone.Win, lose or draw, I am in a great opportunity and I cant ever forget that, how fun this is, Sanchez said. And usually when I am feeling like that, I am playying pretty well.ddddddddddddQB TRIALS, PART 2: That said, Sanchez needs to do more than just keep the Eagles afloat if theyre to repeat as NFC East champs. Hes 3-3 as a starter with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In fact, Philadelphias team passer rating (82.6) is substantially lower than the Redskins (89.9).Griffin regains the job in Washington after Colt McCoy was placed on injured reserve this week with a sprained neck. Gruden hasnt set the bar particularly high, citing Griffins ongoing struggles to get a grasp on the fundamentals of drop-back passing.I dont expect perfection from him, Gruden said. But we want to see improvement.THE SEASON FOR GIVING: The Eagles have a league-leading 34 turnovers this season after giving the ball away just 19 times in 2013.A costly fumble by tight end Brent Celek was the turning point in Sundays loss to Dallas, and Sanchez ranks last in the NFL in interception percentage.We have to take ownership of this thing, and it starts with the quarterback, Sanchez said. I have to be a lot better.A TIMELESS STRATEGY: The Eagles held the ball for only 18 minutes each in consecutive losses to Seattle and Dallas, which means their defence has been on the field for 84 of 120 minutes in the past two weeks.Of course, Kellys up-tempo, no-huddle system has never translated into a ball-control offence, but holding the ball for a total of 36:09 in two games is taking things beyond the extreme.Still, the coach insists he cares more about the number of plays rather than the amount of time they take up.The time of possession thing, I dont understand that concept, Kelly said.SACK CITY: Griffin might want some extra padding. The Eagles have 47 sacks, second-most in the league. Linebacker Connor Barwin leads the way with an NFC-leading 14 1/2.The Redskins have been sacked 53 times, second-most in NFL. Theyve allowed at least five sacks in six straight games. Griffin has been taken down on 16 per cent of his pass plays, the most for any quarterback with at least 100 drop-backs.A lot of people want to pin it on the line, some people want to pin it on the quarterback, the offensive co-ordinator, the head coach, whatever, Gruden said. But its a combination of things.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '