Support Building For California Chrome's Quest For First Triple Crown Since Affirmed

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — California Chrome's run for the first Triple Crown win since 1978 is coming to a close in just over a day.

As the horse practiced on Thursday morning at Belmont Park, one his owners and his jockey rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

In Yuba City, where Chrome's owners Perry and Denise Martin live, plenty are getting ready for Saturday's big race. The Cookie Tree in Yuba City is baking up their support with California Chrome cookies painted green and purple, just like the horse's silks.

"We love it," said Sue Smith. "We love the horse, and that's what means a lot to us."

We caught up with Perry Martin before he left for New York, and he says he's as confident as ever Chrome will be the first horse to pull off the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.

"I heard he got the 2 hole," he said. "I would have liked to been a little further out, but if he breaks well, he'll handle it."

Chrome is loved by so many because they see a part of themselves in Chrome's owners—two guys who work 9-to-5 and fly coach like the rest of us who bought the horse for $10,000.

And a lot of people are behind Chrome on social media, including tons of Tweets showing support and even an adorable rap video featuring some of the smallest Chrome fanatics.

Yuba City is expecting 15,000 to 20,000 people at a viewing party on Plumas Street on Saturday for the race.