Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is coming up as the 3-5 favorite for Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course following Wednesday’s Post Position Draw for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
California Chrome ridden by Victor Espinoza
Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is coming up as the 3-5 favorite for Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17, 2014.
© 2014 by Greensidagal
Steven Coburn and Perry Martin’s homebred colt, who scored a 1 ¾-length victory in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 3, drew the No. 3 post position in a field of 10 3-year-olds entered earlier in the day for the 139th running of the Preakness.
“My horse is kind of push-button,” said trainer Art Sherman, whose colt drew inside several horses expected to be early factors in the 1 3/16-mile race. “People don’t know that he’s got enough lick that he can stay with any horse in the race. He likes a target to run at and I know that (jockey) Victor (Espinoza) is going to ride him well.”
Maryland Jockey Club’s signature race has been won by 70 favorites, the most recent being Rachel Alexandra in 2009.
California Chrome, who has won his last five races by a combined 26 lengths, was the first California-bred horse to capture the Derby in 52 years. The son of Lucky Pulpit will seek to become the fifth California-bred horse to capture the Preakness, joining Snow Chief (1986), Candy Spots (1963), Kalitan (1917) and Old England (1902).
Jockey Victor Espinoza will be riding California Chrome in the Preakness after winning the Kentucky Derby with the chestnut colt.