Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork. David West Jersey .com) - Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome posted his final workout Saturday morning ahead of next weeks 146th Belmont Stakes. Owned by Steven Coburn and Perry Martin, the 3-year-old worked a half-mile on Belmonts main track in 47.69 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.95 and seven furlongs in 1:26.28. Victor Espinoza, the colts regular jockey, was board for the workout. "I couldnt ask for anything more," said Alan Sherman, son and assistant to trainer Art Sherman. "He galloped out great and (we got) exactly what we wanted today." Trainer Art Sherman is expected to arrive from California on Monday. "It was great," Espinoza said. "I started not too fast. We were going :12, :12, :12. We picked it up a little at the end. Across the wire I dropped the reins a little bit. Thats what he always does." This is Espinozas second try at the Triple Crown. In 2002 he was aboard War Emblem who won the Run for the Roses and Preakness, but finished eighth in the Belmont Stakes. "Im more confident this time than in 2002," said Espinoza. "With War Emblem, he only had one way to go: in the front. It was not that easy for me to ride him; it was difficult (which is) typical when you have a front-running horse. You dont have many options. If something happens, thats it. Your chances are gone. With California Chrome, its different. I have a lot of options with California Chrome. I believe I have a better chance than I did in 2002 because I have a different kind of horse." Nine challengers appear definite for the Belmont Stakes versus the Derby and Preakness champ. Expected to take on the Triple Crown contender are Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, Commissioner, Matterhorn, Matuszak, Medal Count, Ride On Curlin, Samraat, Tonalist and Wicked Strong. Kid Cruz is still listed as a possible starter. Jamaal Magloire Jersey .com) - Many people at Eastern Washington are waiting to see if star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. Frank Jackson Jersey .com) - Rajon Rondo turned in a game-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists as Dallas claimed a 102-98 win over the Lakers on Friday.BARCELONA, Spain - Luis Suarez will make his Camp Nou debut in official competition on Saturday.The Barcelona striker played in a home friendly to start the season while serving out a four-month biting ban. That ended in time for Suarez to set up Neymars goal in Barcelonas loss at Real Madrid last weekend.Suarez set up another goal for Gerard Pique to help Barcelona win the Catalan Super Cup over Espanyol on Wednesday.Suarez is participating in the correct manner in most cases, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. He leaves his mark on the game and shows his effort.On Saturday, Barcelona will host Celta Vigo, the former club of Luis Enrique.Celta is flourishing under Luis Enriques successor, Eduardo Berizzo. Celta is in sixth place, four points behind Atletico Madrid, with only one loss this season.After being denied a goal in Barcelonas 3-1 loss at Madrid, Lionel Messi will have another chance to get the one goal he needs to equal Telmo Zarra as the leagues all-time scorer with 251 goals.Also, Real Madrid will be looking for an 11th straight victory on Saturday at Granada. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the league with 16 goals, almost twice as many as second-place Neymar with nine.Barcelona and Sevilla lead Madrid by one point with Valencia and Atletico Madrid another point adrift. The last time two points separated the top five teams after nine games was 2005-06.Here are some more things to know about this weekends games:___RESTED AND READYRonaldo will be well rested for Saturdays visit to Granada.The Portugal forward did not travel with the team to Barcelona for Wednesdays 4-1 win at third-division club Cornella in the Copa del Rey.Ronaldo has scored in 11 straight appearances and has 21 goals in all commpetitions this season, putting him in good position to repeat as the Ballon dOr winner. David Wesley Jersey . He was included in FIFAs 23-man short list announced this week for the award that will be given on Jan. 12.Granada has gone winless in its last five games, including four losses.___SEVILLA IN SECONDSevillas 2-1 comeback win with two late goals against Villarreal established its best start in club history.The team added a 6-1 rout of second-division side Sabadell on Wednesday to start the Copa del Rey in winning fashion.On Sunday, Sevilla faces a trip to Athletic Bilbao, which had gone nine games overall without a win until a 1-0 victory at Almeria last week.___VALENCIA AT VILLARREALValencia has surpassed expectations under new coach Nuno Espirito Santo with only one loss so far, but it has only managed one win in four away matches.Next up is a tough match at Villarreal on Sunday.Villarreal likes to keep possession and go at you from the start, Valencia defender Jose Gaya said. If we go out there asleep ... they will come for us. We have to have a good start.___ANGRY ATLETICOSAtletico will host Cordoba on Saturday with something to prove.The defending champions are angry that their players left the Spanish leagues awards ceremony this week empty handed. Instead, players from rival Real Madrid swept up most of the individual player awards, despite finishing third last season.Atletico coach Diego Simeone, who did win the best coach award for last season, has joined his players in criticizing the gala.We choose names over capacity, and Atletico was the best last year, at least in the league, Simeone said. Its a system that makes us choose what we consume every day, (and) we consume names. ' ' '
