California Chrome Goes Platinum in Dubai

California Chrome Bright As Ever In Dubai World Cup

By: Claudia L. Ruiz

Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, and 2014 Horse of The Year, California Chrome has come a long way since he first set his hoofs on Hollywood Park’s track back in 2013. After running a respectable second in last year’s Dubai World Cup, Chrome spent months abroad in England and was later sidelined for the rest of his 4-year-old campaign due to injury. Now a 5-year-old, the Cal-bred loaded back into the starting gate of the world’s richest race on Saturday, March 26th — emerging victorious by 3 ¾ lengths in the $10,000,000 contest at Meydan Racecourse.

The 2016 rendition of the Dubai World Cup featured a field of 12 — 7 of which are US-bred — and included Belmont Stakes runner-up Frosted, Travers Stakes winner Keen Ice, 2015 Kentucky Derby participant and group one winner Mubtaahij, as well as Baffert-trained Hoppertunity and Pletcher-trained Mshawish. But no horse in the line-up would catch California Chrome.  After the break, regular jockey Victor Espinoza aggressively road the chestnut out of the 11-hole and settled nicely in third. No more than a neck behind the pace, Special Fighter stalked the early leader, Mshawish, who set fractions of 25.3 and 48.9, and pressed the pace relentlessly. 4-wide around the second turn, California Chrome began to move and took over the lead just past the top of the stretch, kicking clear of the competition and galloping on to stop the clock at 2:01.83 — a new track record. Mubtaahij was second, while Hoppertunity closed strongly to finish third.

Evident in the video footage and in photos, even a substantial saddle malfunction could not keep Chrome from winning and may have actually helped. “Turning for home, I couldn’t wait any longer and I had to go because I felt like the saddle was slipping,” said Victor Espinoza. “I was just trying to keep my balance and not move my body. I wasn’t that concerned about it [the slipped saddle], I just kept looking forward and thinking: ‘Where’s the wire’”

In the post-race interview, Espinoza went on to express his gratitude towards the connections for believing in him and allowing him to remain California Chrome’s jockey. Art Sherman was all smiles. “He’s a great horse. What can you say? I’ve got tears in my eyes. Just to have him back and being here with all my friends and my family… it’s a dream of a lifetime for me,” expressed the 79-year-old trainer.

Saturday’s win catapulted the son of Lucky Pulpit’s career earnings to $12,532,650 — making California Chrome the #1 all time leading money earner in North America, surpassing Curlin’s $10,501,800. The win also marked the 5-year-old’s twelfth career victory of 21 starts, which include 3 seconds and 1 third.

Watch The 2016 Dubai World Cup Below (courtesy of Meydan Racing Club)