Video: California Chrome Duo Throw First Pitches At Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's an honor that can go very, very wrong. But California Chrome's jockey and assistant trainer were right on the money Monday night when they tossed the ceremonial first pitches at Yankee Stadium.

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With that out of the way, jockey Victor Espinoza and Alan Sherman, the son of head trainer Art Sherman, can focus on the task at hand: getting the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner ready for a run at the Triple Crown at the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes on June 7.

They'd better hope the race turns out better than the Yankees game -- New York lost to Seattle 10-2.

And Espinoza is confident it won't be a repeat of his Triple Crown chance with War Emblem in 2002, which was doomed from the start.

"In one second, I already know I'm done because I lost my chance out of the gate," Espinoza said, according to Newsday. "California Chrome is different. He's really kind. He's got tremendous balance, and he likes to run anywhere. Whatever I want him to do, he will do it. So that's my big advantage I have."

California Chrome is looking to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

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