It was calculated, expected, and everyone saw it coming. Two weeks after breezing through the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome has won the 139th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, moving one step closer to the highly elusive Triple Crown. The heavily favored 3-year-old chestnut colt will be heading to New York, where he will be 1.5 miles of track and a win away from becoming the sporting event's first Triple Crown winner in 36 long years.

Bursting at the homestretch and establishing a wide lead closing in to the final turn, it became clear that California Chrome did in fact have what it takes to become the thoroughbred racing's 12th Triple Crown winner since Affirmed clinched the ultimate feat back in 1978. Other Triple Crown winners with whom he could possibly share the prestige with include Seattle Slew, Secretariat, War Admiral, Citation, and Sir Barton.

There have been eight other horses that won both the Preakness and the Derby, but only 11 of those went on to win the Belmont Stakes. The most recent horse that had the chance was I'll Have Another back in 2012. However, he did not have the chance to compete in Belmont due to a leg injury one day before the race. Similarly, in 2008, Big Brown failed to finish in the homestretch at Belmont. Things are expected to turn out much better for California Chrome this time around.

However, the Belmont race may not come as easy as the previous two. According to Bloomberg reports, California Chrome will have to face some well-rested contenders including Derby runners-up and finishers. Commanding Curve, with whom Chrome raced in the Derby, decided not to compete in Preakness and focus on the Belmont instead. Belmont Stakes is three weekends from now. It will be held on June 7 in New York, and it is the only thing standing between California Chrome and immortality.