California Chrome Wins 2016 San Pasqual Stakes

California Chrome Kicks Off 2016 With Win In Gr. 2 San Pasqual

By: Ciara Bowen

The latest chapter in the California Chrome story began on a high note with the 5-year-old horse’s return to the races – and subsequent win – in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (Gr.2) on Saturday, January 9. It was his first start since his second place finish in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-1) in March 2015. He was originally slated to hit the turf in England and then Chicago, but a bruised foot sent him to Kentucky instead.

California Chrome returned to trainer Art Sherman’s barn in October and recorded his first work back on November 14^th at Los Alamitos. When it was announced that his target race was the San Pasqual, excitement began to build – not only because the fairytale horse was coming back, but because he looked to face off against the highly regarded Bob Baffert trainee, Dortmund. Dortmund, a 4-year-old son of Big Brown, was withdrawn from consideration following a seven-furlong workout where Baffert didn’t see something he was hoping for. Fans of both horses were disappointed, but ‘Chrome’ fans were able to breathe a little easier knowing their beloved champion had one less competitor to face off against in this instance.

Following the break in the San Pasqual, jockey Victor Espinoza settled California Chrome in second for the first six-furlongs while Alfa Bird held the lead, setting fractions of :24.82 for the opening quarter mile and :49.12 for the half-mile. Moving up on the outside on the turn, Califoria Chrome edged closer to Alfa Bird and then took the lead. With a furlong to go he led by 1 ½ lengths and ultimately crossed the wire ahead by 1 ¼ lengths. The final time for the race was 1:43.39.

Behind California Chrome, Imperative looked as though he could pose a threat, but the thought was short-lived, as he
could only cut into the victor’s lead for a few strides. He held on for second. Hoppertunity, victor of the 2015 edition of the San Pasqual, finished another 2 ¼ lengths behind Imperative. Hard Aces was fourth, followed by Blingo, Point Piper, and Alfa Bird. Mystery Train scratched the morning of the race.

California Chrome is owned by and races for Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm. Following California Chrome’s return to the United States last summer, Taylor Made Farm bought breeder and minority owner Steve and Carolyn Coburn’s 30 percent share in the stallion. The change in ownership even led to a change in silks, which spurred mixed reactions in fans of the horse.

Martin and his wife, Denise, formed Dumb Ass Partners Racing with the Coburns and their green and purple silks began an integral part of what people expected to see when they saw their chestnut hero. However, new ownership meant that a new partnership – California Chrome LLC – had come into existence, and it needed new silks. These new ones are silver-gray with white and maroon and leave no doubt about who the horse in question is.

“Many people find the new silks boring, but I think they’re a great fit for Chrome,” said Mary Cage, who has been a fan of the horse since he was a 2-year-old. “After all, the color of the silks themselves is basically chrome.”

Cage, and many others, are simply happy to see California Chrome back – no matter what the colors he carries are. In today’s world, it is rare to see a Kentucky Derby winner come back from a nine-month layoff period, but to do so and to come back from that layoff as a 5-year-old is unheard of. Sherman has done an excellent job conditioning the stallion, though they expect him to continue to improve throughout the year.

“He feels like a champ,” Espinoza stated. “The most important thing about him today was that he accelerated in the stretch. Before, he was just steady, but this time he came back like the old Chrome. I had to just let him do his thing and let him run a little bit in the lane.”

The winner’s share of the purse – $120,000 – pushed California Chrome’s earnings to $6,442,650, bestowing him the honor of being the highest-earning California-bred horse. The distinction was previously held by Tiznow with $6,442,650.

Following the race, Alan Sherman, assistant to his father, said that California Chrome will ship to Dubai on January 21. They expect to give him one prep race there before they have another try at a victory in the Dubai World Cup on March 26. A victory there will promote California Chrome to the top of the list as the highest money-earning thoroughbred. Curlin currently tops the list with $10,501,800.

Upon his return from Dubai, connections of the 2014 Horse of the Year hope to aim for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr.1).