Santa Anita to give away nasal strips to fans

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Santa Anita is having some fun with the nasal strips worn by Triple Crown hopeful California Chrome.

The suburban Los Angeles track will give fans free souvenir nasal strips next Saturday, the same day the chestnut colt runs in the Belmont Stakes in New York trying to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner in 36 years.

The nasal strips are purple with the word ''Chrome'' across the front.

The track where California Chrome has run some of his races is also giving the first 10,000 fans with paid admission a Belmont button that says ''Bring It Home California Chrome.''

Belmont Park stewards agreed last month to allow California Chrome to wear his usual nasal strips when he runs in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. The strips are thought to help airflow though the nostrils.