With two down and one to go, California Chrome is making his bid for horse racing's first Triple Crown in 36 years. Finishing a length and a half in front of Ride On Curlin, California Chrome withstood the challenges down the stretch to win Saturday's 139th running of the Preakness before a record crowd of 123,469 at Pimlico Race Course.
California Chrome ridden by Victor Espinoza
Showing no ill effects from two weeks rest since his Kentucky Derby win, California Chrome withstood a challenge down the stretch and won Saturday's 139th running of the Preakness before a record crowd of 123,469 at Pimlico Race Course.
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Longshot Pablo Del Monte set the early pace, but California Chrome got off to a good start and hung in the third position into the backstretch. He went into the final turn with the lead and down the stretch he held off Ride On Curlin. Finishing third was Social Inclusion.
Showing no ill effects from two weeks rest since his Kentucky Derby win, California Chrome withstood a challenge down the stretch and won Saturday's 139th running of the Preakness before a record crowd of 123,469 at Pimlico Race Course. The beaming jockey, Victor Espinoza, said that the 1 1/2 length victory was more tireing mentally than physically because of the different horses involved in the race.
California Chrome's 77-year-old trainer Art Sherman had a hard time seeing the race because of his height, but tears filled his eyes as the crowd roared their approval of California Chrome's win.
Next up in three weekends: the June 7 Belmont Stakes in New York. Can this California-bred horse win the truple crown? Many horse enthsiasts are saying, "Yes."
While the Triple Crown has been elusive since Affirmed won the three races in 1978, winning the first two legs happens more regularly. California Chrome became the 13th horse to win the first two legs since Affirmed won the last Triple Crown in 1978.
California Chrome now has won six in a row. In the first five of those victories, he had a month off between each race.
The order of finish: California Chrome, Ride On Curlin, Social Inclusion, General A Rod, Ring Weekend, Pablo Del Monte, Dynamic Impact, Kid Cruz, Bayern and Ria Antonia.