California Chrome and his California contingent took Baltimore by storm after scoring in the Kentucky Derby. The bright chestnut sporting four white feet, a wide blaze, and Maryland connections, dazzled in the Preakness.

Trained by Art Sherman for owners/breeders Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, the colt drew more than 100,000 fans to Belmont Park three weeks later as expectations rose for the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. He faded to fourth (in a dead heat with Wicked Strong). The winner, Tonalist, skipped the Derby and Preakness. Bred in Kentucky by Lauren and Rene Woolcott and raised at their Woodslane Farm in The Plains, Va., Tonalist was owned by Robert “Shel” Evans, owner of Courtland Farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and son of longtime successful Virginia owner/breeder Thomas Mellon Evans (of Buckland Farm).

After purchasing Tonalist as a yearling, Evans sent Tonalist to Courtland for 60 days before he went into training, eventually to Christophe Clement.

Joe Clancy spent time with Northview Stallion Station’s elder statesman Not For Love, Maryland’s Stallion of the Year 11 times and dam sire of California Chrome. The 24-year-old was admired in the region and beyond. “He’d have been a good sire in Kentucky, at Claiborne or anywhere else,” said Bill Landes, general manager of Hermitage Farm in Goshen, Ky., and a longtime shareholder of the son of Mr. Prospector. “There’s a depth there and it’s stood the test of time. He was a slightly above average racehorse, but he’s been a remarkable sire.”

Ben’s Cat won the off-the-turf Jim McKay Sprint on the Preakness Day card a third time. King T. Leatherbury’s 8-year-old homebred won his 26th race, and 21st stakes.