The California Chrome team can breathe easy after stewards approved the use of nasal strips on the champion colt in the Belmont Stakes, ending an issue that could have derailed his bid to complete the Triple Crown.

Art Sherman, trainer for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, said the chestnut might not run the third leg of the treble on June 7 if he ws prevented from wearing nasal strips.

California Chrome has won six races in a row since he started using the strips to widen his nasal passages and allow a greater intake of air during races.

Sherman formally applied to race stewards to allow the California Chrome to wear nasal strips in the Belmont on Monday.

Stewards conferred with Dr. Scott E. Palmer, the New York State Gaming Commission equine medical director, who advised that the use of nasal strips should be permitted.

"I recommend that the stewards at state-based thoroughbred racetracks discontinue their ban on equine nasal strips," Palmer said in a statement released by the NYSGC.

"Equine nasal strips do not enhance equine performance, nor do they pose a risk to equine health or safety and as such do not need to be regulated.

"While there is research to indicate that equine nasal strips decrease airway resistance in horses and may decrease the amount of bleeding I am unfamiliar with any research indicating that equine nasal strips enable a horse to run faster than without them.

"Equine nasal strips do not pose a welfare or safety risk to the horse."

California Chrome will try to become the 12th horse to sweep the Triple Crown and the first since Affirmed in 1978.