California Chrome runs for the money

The richest just got a little richer.

California Chrome, the leading money-earning thoroughbred in North American history, treated the Grade 1, $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita like a workout.

Dortmund stayed close for much of the 11⁄8-mile race, but while jockey Rafael Bejarano was pushing on him, Victor Espinoza was almost motionless on California Chrome, who spurted clear on the second turn and won by 2 ¼ lengths.

“An impressive performance,” Espinoza said.

“They wanted to go with me and I just said, ‘OK, let’s roll.’ ”

The pace was quick (22.76 seconds, 46.08 and 1:09.28), but it didn’t tax California Chrome, who finished in 1:48.07 for his sixth win in six starts this year and his 15th in 24 overall. He earned $180,000 to increase his total to $13,432,650.

The only horses — all retired — to earn more are four that raced in Japan and one from Australia. Orfevre leads with $19,005,276 in U.S. currency, and it’s possible

California Chrome could exceed $20 million before he is retired to the breeding shed.

California Chrome’s next race will be the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Santa Anita, and a victory will be worth $3.6 million. Were he to win, he’d collect a $1 million bonus for sweeping the Pacific Classic, Awesome Again Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

His final race could be the inaugural $12 million Pegasus Stakes on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park; the

winner’s share is expected to be about $7 million.

“He’s an awesome horse,” trainer Art Sherman said by phone. “He’s kind of a freaky runner, to be honest with you. Each race kind of blows me away. Now I’ve got the Breeders’ Cup in five weeks and I hope I can keep him as strong as I did coming into this race.” Briefly: Espinoza also won the Grade 1, $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes with Stellar Wind, who edged favored Beholder by a neck. It was only the second loss in 15 starts at Santa Anita for Beholder, who was seeking her fourth straight Zenyatta victory. … Dangerfield, the only Southern California shipper in the field of seven, pulled away in the stretch for a 4¼-length victory in the $55,325 Oak Tree Juvenile at Pleasanton. Dangerfield had one second in three previous starts at Del Mar and Santa Anita.