After a nine-month layoff, popular 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome shook off his rust at a relatively ancient five years of age to win another race at Santa Anita Park this afternoon, Saturday, March 28. The celebrity California-bred horse was once again guided by jockey Victor Espinoza, whose own star rose aboard Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh last year, followed by a stint on “Dancing with the Stars.”
California Chrome returns as winner at Santa Anita Jan. 9, 2016. Photo courtesy of Santa Anita Park.
“The way Chrome ran today is how he ran before,” Espinoza said. “He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever been on. Art Sherman-trained Chrome last ran on March 28, 2015, in Dubai, where he came in second but still collected $2 million. Today he won the Grade II, $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths, thrilling a large crowd that included Secretariat breeder Penny Chenery. “It’s very heart-warming to see his fans and the reception he received,” Sherman said. “I was just jammed full of people around the paddock.”
A winner of four Grade I stakes in 2014; the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Hollywood Derby, California Chrome notched his 10th win from 19 starts Saturday, and with the winner’s share of $120,000, increased his career earnings to $6,442,650, thus surpassing two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow to become the leading California-bred of all time.
Victor Espinoza acknowledges Chrome fans after comeback win. Photo by Carrie Lynn Barker.
According to Sherman, Chrome will head back to the Middle East Jan. 21 for a prep race in Dubai, “then come home after the ($10 million Dubai) World Cup.” Chrome is expected to end his racing career back at Santa Anita this fall in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. (North America’s all-time leader Curlin, retired with earnings of $10,501,800, while California Chrome currently ranks 25th).
Bred and originally owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, California Chrome is now owned by California Chrome, LLC, which is comprised of Kentucky-based Taylor Made Stallions and Martin, who retains his majority 70 percent stake in the horse. “We feel blessed to be a part of this, what a horse!” said new co-owner Frank Taylor. “He’s so sound and so genuine. He’s a special horse.”
Photo by Carrie Lynn Barker.
Assistant trainer Alan Sherman, who watched the race from the Winner’s Circle while holding his two year old grandson, was satisfied with his stable superstar. “He got tired, but that was good,” he said.
— By Scott Hettrick, with notes, quotes and statistics provided by Santa Anita
Photo by Carrie Lynn Barker