California Chrome set for run at Triple Crown
BALTIMORE — California Chrome was the best 3-year-old thoroughbred in America going into the Kentucky Derby. He was the best at Churchill Downs on that first Saturday in May.
And now he’s the Preakness Stakes champion after distancing himself from yesterday’s 10-horse field.
He went off as a commanding 1-2 favorite after rival trainers spent a week saying only bad luck could derail him. Again, California Chrome made his own luck, turning on his patented burst to pull away in the stretch drive at Pimlico Race Course and hold off a late push from runner-up Ride On Curlin.
California Chrome won by 11⁄ lengths in 1 minute,
2 54.84 seconds. Social Inclusion finished third.
“It is an awesome feeling to be able to have a horse like California Chrome,” jockey Victor Espinoza said. “It was just a crazy race. I got more tired mentally than physically riding him.”
All that’s left for the dashing chestnut colt is his attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. California Chrome now has won six straight races by a combined 271⁄
2 lengths for 77-year-old trainer Art Sherman.
“You have to have a very good horse to win these three races,” Sherman said. “I’m hoping I’ve got one right now.”
California Chrome’s week included several glimpses of the anxiety inherent to a Triple Crown campaign. Rumors of a potential scratch swirled on Thursday when the horse coughed after his morning workout. His connections downplayed the hubbub, saying he had a small throat blister, just as he had before his victory at Churchill Downs.
Rain pounded Pimlico on Thursday night and on Friday morning, reducing the track to a muddy bog. But none of it seemed to daunt California Chrome.
Sent off as the overwhelming favorite by a record crowd of 123,469 on a sunny and cool day, California Chrome tucked into third, an ideal spot behind leaders Pablo Del Monte, a 34-1 shot, and filly Ria Antonia. Espinoza kept him there until they made their move approaching the final turn.
California Chrome caught Pablo Del Monte while Social Inclusion joined the chase, and California Chrome sprinted away from Social Inclusion at the top of the stretch. But there was one more challenge to come. Ride On Curlin ranged up from next-to-last and appeared ready to overtake California Chrome. Once again showing his class, California Chrome denied the threat.
Now, California Chrome’s Triple Crown story will turn to its last and most difficult chapter: the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Since 1978, 12 horses have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, only to falter in New York. Espinoza rode one of them, War Emblem, in 2002. The last, I’ll Have Another in 2012, was scratched because of a sore tendon. Smarty Jones lost by a length in 2004. Silver Charm came even closer in 1997.
If he is to defy recent history, California Chrome will have to call on new depths of endurance. Analysts will spend the next three weeks debating whether he can pull it off.
“I just think it would be, for my career, the ultimate,” Sherman said. “I’ve been in the game 60 years. Triple Crown winner? If you’d have said that to me at the beginning, I’d say, ‘ You’re crazy.’ ”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.