The idea for the nasal strip worn by Triple Crown contender California Chrome—patterned after a human version that deters snoring—occurred to equine veterinarian Ed Blach, DVM, MS, MBA, in the middle of the night.

“I sat up in bed at 3 in the morning, and I had this idea,” said Blach, a Colorado State University (CSU) veterinary alumnus and resident of Monument, Colorado. “Why hasn’t anyone developed a nasal strip for horses?”

That was 17 years ago. Now, the equine nasal strips (sold under the trade name FLAIR) are in horse racing’s limelight as California Chrome preps to storm Belmont Stakes on June 7 as the event favorite. The colt—wearing an adhesive strip—has the chance to become the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years, having earlier aced the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

The nasal strips, which Blach co-invented, have grabbed international attention in part because they were first banned, and then approved on May 19 for use at Belmont Stakes by the New York Racing Association