On Saturday, May 3, 2014, it was truly, "Chrome Alone" as the beautiful chestnut lead at the head of the home stretch of the Kentucky Derby doing what has become his routine against the best 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in the country.
California Chrome at earler race
On Saturday, May 3, 2014, it was truly, "Chrome Alone" as the beautiful chestnut lead at the head of the home stretch of the Kentucky Derby doing what has become his routine against the best 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in the country by winning the race.
© 2014 by Greensodagal
Now, Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is headed to the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 17, bringing trainer Art Sherman back to Maryland for the first time in 55 years.
Sherman confirmed his plans to run the colt in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown during a Sunday morning phone call with Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas and two other Preakness officials. Pimlico officials traditionally call the winner of the Kentucky Derby to extend a formal invitation to come to Baltimore.
“He came out of the race and looks really good,” Sherman said.
Although he likes to give his horses plenty of time between races, Sherman said he expects that Steven Coburn and Perry Martin’s homebred colt will be ready for the Preakness.
“Two weeks, I’ve never run him back that quick,” Sherman said. “I’m not that kind of guy. I thought even a month after the Santa Anita Derby to the Kentucky Derby was kind of quick. but he seems to respond and come back.”
California Chrome won the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby by 1 3/4 lengths with a very professional performance under veteran jockey Victor Espinoza. They sat behind the early pacesetters, Chitu and Uncle Sigh, for three quarters of a mile, moved up to contend for the lead in the second turn and kicked away from the others at the top of the stretch. It was his fifth consecutive victory.
For jockey, Victor Espinoza, this was his second Derby win after winnint in 2002 with War Emblem. While the winning time of 2:03.66 was not anything special, for California Chrome and Espinoza, it was enough for a grand celebration. Commanding Curve came in second and Danza placed third in the race.
Two of the Derby starters, runner-up Commanding Curve and seventh-place finisher Ride on Curlin, are candidates to face California Chrome again in the Preakness.