It has been 36 years since the last American Triple Crown winner and California Chrome has just registered his claim in no uncertain terms.
Steven Coburn and Perry Martin’s California Chrome kept his Triple Crown hopes alive with a smooth victory in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course May 17. With regular jockey Victor Espinoza on board for trainer Art Sherman, California Chrome got a trip similar to that in the Kentucky Derby, sitting just off the early leaders, before swinging into the lead on the far turn to draw away to victory.
Jeffrey Sanchez and Pablo Del Monte came forward from their 9 draw to set the early pace. Espinoza and California Chrome got a good jump from stall gate 3 and also landed running to be right up with the early action, sitting just outside Pablo Del Monte. Heading into the first turn, Calvin Borel swooped with Ria Antonia, the only filly in the race, to grab second. Espinoza settled for the third slot, stalking the top two through an opening quarter-mile in :23.56 and a half-mile in a lively :46.85.
When Ria Antonio backed off heading into the far turn, California Chrome made his move outside of Pablo Del Monte, who continued to lead after completing six furlongs in 1:11.06. Luis Contreras asked Social Inclusion for an effort, briefly sandwiching California Chrome, before Espinoza pressed the button and ‘Chrome swept past the leaders going past the three-eighths pole.
Social Inclusion, who’d acted up at the gates, briefly tried to match strides with ‘Chrome coming round the final turn, but was no match for the long-striding chestnut. California Chrome opened up a comfortable 3-length lead passing the final furlong mark. The only horse to challenge in the closing stages was Ride On Curlin, who staged a determined challenge from the back of the pack under Joel Rosario. He was closing on the leader with every stride, but it was too little too late and California Chrome crossed the line 1 1/2 lengths ahead in a time of 1:54.84 – the fastest since Curlin’s 1:53.46, set in 2007. Social Inclusion finished 6 1/2 lengths further back in third, a head in front of General A Rod. They were followed by Ring Weekend, Pablo Del Monte, Dynamic Impact, Kid Cruz, Bayern, and Ria Antonia.
California Chrome trained very well at Pimlico the week leading up to the Preakness and despite rumours about him coughing, the connections were confident going in to the race.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Espinoza, who won the first two legs of the Triple Crown with War Emblem, but lost the Belmont in 2002. “It was a crazy race. I got more tired mentally than physically. It worked out well and he’s an amazing horse. I saw a horse go to the front (Pablo Del Monte) and I said, ‘I’ll sit behind him.’ Then I saw another one come (Ria Antonia), and I had to use my breaks. But as soon as the other horse got clear of me, it worked out perfectly.”
Sherman, who plans to keep California Chrome at Pimlico for a few days, had commented that he wasn’t thrilled about running the horse after just two weeks after the rigorous Derby. “To me, this race was even a little tougher knowing that I’m coming back in a little shorter distance than I normally ever run them, and the time I give them to rest between races,” Sherman said. “I was a little concerned about that, but he has big heart this horse—big. It’s quite a thrill. I knew we had to run harder to win this race. He’s a real racehorse, and I hope a mile and a half is up his alley, too.”
California Chrome was bred in California by his owners out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase, her first foal. He is the first California-bred to win the Preakness since Snow Chief in 1986, and the fifth Cal-bred to win the second jewel of the Triple Crown overall.
Coburn was in tears after the Preakness, and showed his emotions at the post-race press conference. “I don’t know how to explain how I feel within my heart and soul,” Coburn said. “It’s hard for me because I get very emotional about it. I honestly believe this horse is America’s horse. He’s giving everybody that little light bulb, and when it clicks on, you know what? We can do this. I don’t know what it is, but we’re going to stay in the game to make sure this colt gets to be the best he can be. I’ve been a firm believer in that ever since (he was born), and he hasn’t proven me wrong. This is a nice horse.”
Trainer William Gowan was thrilled with the effort turned in by Daniel Dougherty’s Ride On Curlin. He said if the Curlin colt comes out of the Preakness in good shape, he most likely will compete in the Belmont. “I thought it was awesome,” Gowan said. “California Chrome ran a great race and he’s a great horse, but my horse ran a great race. He was in a good spot down the backstretch. Joel (Rosario) said he got shut off for a second, but he came running in the stretch and gave me a heck of a thrill. I’m really proud.”
Contreras said Social Inclusion, who was washy in the post parade, wasn’t affected by his gate antics. “He acted up a little bit in the gate, but it was no big deal at all,” Contreras said. “The horse ran a really big race today. I can’t tell you how happy I am with this horse. We’ll get them next time.” Owner Ron Sanchez said he expected Social Inclusion to be in the lead in the Preakness as he was in his first three starts. That didn’t materialize as the Pioneerof the Nile colt got away in fifth, but Sanchez said he liked the effort. “He ran well,” Sanchez said. “Right now, we’re going to the Belmont.”
The New York Racing Association released an early list of probable starters for the $1.5 million Belmont, including Commanding Curve, Commissioner, Danza, Intense Holiday, Samraat, Tonalist, and Wicked Strong, so it appears a field of least 10 will compete in the final leg of the Triple Crown.
The blanket has been draped, the weather vane has been painted. Now California Chrome heads off to New York for the 1 1/2-mile Gr1 Belmont Stakes on 7 June to complete his bid for Triple Crown glory and a place in racing immortality.
Full Result for the 2014 Preakness Stakes:
1. California Chrome
2. Ride on Curlin
3. Social Inclusion
4. General A Rod
