Three great ways to watch California Chrome go for the Triple Crown this Saturday
After winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, hometown horse racing hero California Chrome—co-owned by Denise and Perry Martin of Yuba City—now takes on the Belmont Stakes this Saturday in the hopes of becoming the first horse to earn a Triple Crown since 1978. Unless you’re planning a trip to New York this weekend, you likely won’t be able to catch a glimpse of the champion in action, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join in the festivities. Check out our own Triple Crown of viewing parties around our region where you can watch the race with your fellow Chromies.
Yuba City Street Party
California Chrome’s hometown will be closing down a portion of its downtown Plumas Street from noon to 7 p.m. this Saturday and broadcasting the race from a live feed on two giant screens on either side of the street. The first 1,000 people to attend the street fair will receive exclusive purple and green California Chrome T-shirts. You can enjoy live music before the race and nosh on local street food like hand-tossed pies from Rolling Stone Pizza Company, tacos from El Zarape and spaghetti from Dancing Tomato Caffé. Plumas and Church streets. Yuba City. www.yubacity.net
Cal Expo
Don your festive hats, place your bets and kick back with a mimosa at Cal Expo’s recently remodeled Sports & Wagering Center Club House, where a $38 admission ticket will provide you with an official racing program, reserved seat, plus a gourmet breakfast and lunch buffet prepared by Ovations chef Ryan Curry. Cal Expo is the only place in the region you can officially place wagers on the Belmont before you watch the race on the Club House’s many large flat screens throughout the venue. From 9 to 11 a.m., enjoy a hot morning meal with traditional fixings like biscuits and gravy, pastries and eggs with homestyle potatoes. Lunch will be served from noon to 3 p.m. and feature locally sourced seasonal vegetables and a carving station, plus house-made desserts. 1600 Exposition Blvd. 263-3000. calexpo.com
The Porch Restaurant & Bar
At this midtown hot spot on Saturday, you can sip old-timey cocktails like a White Carnation, or the race’s current signature drink, a mint-garnished Belmont Breeze, while you watch California Chrome try to win the final jewel of the Triple Crown. Chef Jon Clemon’s New York-inspired menu for the afternoon includes street vendor-style hot dogs, sea salt-topped soft pretzels, raw oysters on the half shell with mignonette sauce, pastrami bagel sandwiches and New York-style cheesecake for dessert. 1815 K St. 444-2423. theporchrestaurantandbar.com
NBC will air coverage of the Belmont Stakes from 1:30 to 4 p.m. PT this Saturday. Race time is 3:52 p.m.
