Chrome gets his shine back

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — California Chrome was back at his best Saturday, scoring a 5-length victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

The winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness finished second last year in the world’s richest horse race. This time, the 5-year-old was ridden by Victor Espinoza, who was aboard American Pharoah for last year’s Triple Crown sweep.

“Today, it proves how he can run when he’s 100 per- cent,” Espinoza said.

There were some unexpected problems. California Chrome’s saddle slipped way down his back near the end. But by then he was way in front.

“I wasn’t that concerned,” Espinoza said. “I just kept looking forward and thinking, ‘Where’s the wire?’ It was not coming fast enough.”

California Chrome, the 2014

Horse of the Year, won $6 million and now tops the earnings list after his third consecutive victory.

Chrome now has career earnings of more than $12.5 million. The former record-holder was Curlin, with about $10.5 million in earnings.

“It’s the dream of a lifetime for me; it doesn’t get better,” trainer Art Sherman said. “The Chromies will be going crazy.”

Chrome became the third Kentucky Derby winner to win the world’s highest-paying race. Silver Charm (1998) and Animal Kingdom (2013) also won this race.

The winner covered the approximately 1 ¼ miles in 2:01.83. Mubtaahij of Ireland was second on the dirt track, followed by 2014 Rebel Stakes winner Hoppertunity for trainer Bob Baffert. The 12-horse field also featured Frosted and Keen Ice, the only horse to beat American Pharoah. Frosted was fifth and Keen Ice eighth.

California Chrome, the race favorite for the second consecutive year, started from an unfavorable No. 11 post position. But he was quickly in stride and stayed wide the whole time. He rode next to Msawish, who took the early lead under Frankie Dettori. California Chrome turned it on toward the wire.

California Chrome didn’t race for 10 months last year because of a bruised bone. He began his comeback at Santa Anita in January. Then, he arrived in Dubai to get used to conditions.

Sherman said California Chrome this time likely will be heading home after Dubai. Last year, he was taken to England.

In other races on the World Cup card:

Japan’s Real Steel won the $6 million Dubai Turf, putting on a burst to pass Euro Charline, a British horse ridden by Dettori.

U.S. horse Postponed won the Dubai Sheema Classic. Postponed was in the middle of the pack, trailing Duramente and Last Impact, when jockey Andrea Atzeni unleashed his mount. Postponed won by nearly 2 lengths over Japan’s Duramente.

U.S. trainer Doug Watson completed a sweep in the Godolphin Mile. One Man Band was the winner, followed by Cool Boy and Faulkner.