Los Alamitos created the Winter Challenge S. specifically to provide their star resident California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) with a local prep for his career finale in the $12 million GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Jan. 28 and to give his hometown fans a final chance to see their superstar in action. Surprisingly, the track found nine horses willing to take on the dual Classic winner, actually 11 counting the two also-eligibles, but none of them was even remotely in the same league as the 2014 Horse of the Year and the result was as expected, with California Chrome romping in a track-record setting performance.
Though the result was what everyone expected with a two-time Eclipse-winning 1-9 shot facing a field with six rivals at odds of 98-1 or over and a 21-1 second-choice, the trip was a bit surprising to most. Drawn widest of all in post 10, California Chrome was away alertly and was hung out four wide rounding the first turn as he eagerly advanced to take on the leaders. Remaining very deep as he kept close tabs on pacesetters Presidentsky (Vronsky) and Howdy (Sundarban) from fourth through an opening quarter in :23.64, the flashy chestnut was floated all the way out to the center of the track as they clocked a half in :47.45. Ears pricked and still well within himself as he swept past the leaders to take control on the backstretch, California Chrome was still five wide turning for home and simply cantered home under a motionless Victor Espinoza to win by an effortless 12 lengths in a new track-record time for 1 1/16 miles of 1:40.03.
“I was pretty nervous before the race,” winning trainer Art Sherman said. “You know your horse is better than the others running in the race, but it is a horse race and anything can happen. Victor rode him with a lot of confidence. You could see he was much the best. I told Victor keep him in the clear and don't get him in any trouble. He rode him like he was about 10 lengths the best horse. It was just perfect. Now I can relax and get ready for the Pegasus. I want [GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner] Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) bad. I have something in my heart that says Chrome can beat him.”
Sherman added, “The atmosphere here was just wonderful. It did my heart really good to be able to run him in front of Orange County people. They are such loyal fans. This was a great day for racing. You can see what happens when you have a star. Let's hope he pulled up well. He looked fine when he came by. I know with his record he will be Older Horse of the Year, but I'm rooting for him to be Horse of the Year. That would be a great way for him to go out.''
A portion of California Chrome's earnings will again go to support the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
California Chrome was named 2014's Horse of the Year and top 3-year-old male after capturing four Grade I victories, including that term's GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. Making just two starts in 2015, including a runner-up effort in the G1 Dubai World Cup, the chestnut came back better than ever as a 5-year-old, starting with a win in Santa Anita's GII San Pasqual S. Jan. 9. Heading to Meydan early this time to get a local prep under his belt, he scored a decisive win in a Feb. 25 handicap and became North America's richest Thoroughbred with an impressive victory in the $10-million Dubai World Cup Mar. 26.
Besting MGISW “TDN Rising Star” Dortmund (Big Brown) by a half-length in his Stateside return in the GII San Diego H. July 23, California Chrome dazzled once again in the Aug. 20 GI Pacific Classic, going wire-to-wire to win by five lengths over three-time Eclipse winner Beholder (Henny Hughes) and Dortmund. Getting the better of Dortmund once again in the GI Awesome Again S. Oct. 1, the Cal-bred's win streak came to crashing a halt last time when sophomore “TDN Rising Star” Arrogate charged past in the final furlong of GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 5 to beat Chrome by a half-length. California Chrome will make one more start in the Pegasus World Cup before beginning his stud career at Taylor Made.
Pedigree Notes:
California Chrome, who is the first foal out of Love the Chase, who sold to bloodstock agent John McCormack for $1.95 million in foal to Tapit at last month's Fasig-Tipton November sale. He has two full-sisters of racing age, the 3-year-old Hope's Love and 2-year-old R Sunday Surprise, both of whom are still maidens. He also has a yearling full-brother named Faversham.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Saturday, Los Alamitos Race Course
WINTER CHALLENGE S., $180,000, LRC, 12-17, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:40.03, ft.
1–CALIFORNIA CHROME, 126, h, 5, Lucky Pulpit
1st Dam: Love the Chase, by Not For Love.
2nd Dam: Chase it Down, by Polish Numbers
3rd Dam: Chase the Dream, by Sir Ivor
O-California Chrome, LLC; B-Perry Martin & Steve Coburn (CA);
T-Art Sherman; J-Victor Espinoza. $50,000. Lifetime Record:
HotY, Ch. 3yo colt & MGISW-US & G1SW-UAE, 26-16-4-1,
$14,502,650.[bullet ad=”racingforthevfoundation”]2–Point Piper, 124, h, 6, Giant's Causeway–Imagine (Ire), by
Sadler's Wells. ($80,000 3yo '13 FTKHRA). O-Gatto Racing, LLC,
J. Hollendorfer, P. & T. Russo & M. Schlaich; B-Barronstown
Stud (KY); T-Jerry Hollendorfer. $30,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Papacoolpapacool, 120, g, 4, Temple City–Sainttwok, by
Saint Ballado. ($2,200 Wlg '12 KEENOV; $14,000 RNA Ylg '13
KEESEP). O-Ali & Francie Nilforushan & John Snedegar;
B-Chesapeake Farm & Gianca Stables (KY); T-Philip D'Amato.
$20,000.[bullet ad=”timber-town-consigned”]Margins: 12, 3 1/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.05, 21.50, 98.20.
Also Ran: Ain't Misbehavin, Avanti Bello, Presidentsky, Howdy, Wrightwood, Lucky J Lane, Unusual Meeting. Scratched: Air Pocket, Ground Rules.
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