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California Chrome will shoot for racing history as he bids to become the 12th Triple Crown hero in the Belmont Stakes in New York today.
With Kentucky Derby and Preakness triumphs already in the bag, Art Sherman's charge will be trying to emulate such greats as War Admiral, Citation and Secretariat as he tackles a mile and a half for the first time.
The Steve Cauthen-ridden Affirmed was the last horse to achieve the feat back in 1978 and a handful of horse have landed the first two legs of the Triple Crown in recent times only to fall at the final hurdle in the mile-and-a-half 'Test of the Champion'.
I'll Have Another was the last horse to claim the first two legs in 2012, but injury prevented him from running in the Belmont, and Smarty Jones came the closest since Affirmed as he finished second in 2004, foiled by the one-length winner Birdstone.
Big-race rider Victor Espinoza suffered heartbreak in the final leg aboard War Emblem in 2002 and he will aim to eradicate that memory aboard California Chrome, who is reported to be in excellent heart.
Sherman told TVG : "I'm more pumped up for this race (than the first two legs). I've felt more confidence going into this race than I did anywhere else. I just like what I see with the horse. I think he's going to run big.
"I wasn't sure about the track surface but after watching him go on a sloppy racetrack, it might be to my advantage. If it does come up a sloppy racetrack, I have no qualms about it.
"We let the horse dictate how he feels (in preparation). He doesn't need a whole lot, but I've never run a horse three times in five weeks since I've been training so this a whole new experience for me., I just think you need a fresh horse and have him feeling good. Fitness-wise, if he isn't fit now, he'll never be fit.
"All the trainers I run into keep saying that whatever I'm doing, it's the right formula. I don't think we will get any advice off anyone.
"After watching a lot of the horses that have got beat, I think it's going to be a jockey's decision, just to sit there and wait as long as you can and hope you're not pressured early., It all depends on the pace of the race and the condition of the racetrack - there's so many variables that you have to think about. You won't know until that day.
"I have a lot of confidence in Victor. He's been riding the horse so well that I'm sure he'll do the right thing and put him in the right position during the race."
California Chrome will clash for a third time with General A Rod, who finished 11th in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness, as well as Ride On Curlin, who was seventh in the Derby and second in the Preakness, beaten just a length and half.
Connections of the Billy Gowan-trained runner are hoping their colt can spoil the party for California Chrome.
"He has been so sound and has so much energy and wants the activity," said owner Dan Dougherty. "He's healthy and he's competitive, and you only get to do this once with a horse so we're taking advantage of it."
Tonalist, winner of last month's Peter Pan Stakes, along with Commanding Curve and Wicked Strong, who have both been given a break since finishing second and fourth respectively in Kentucky, are other leading rivals.
