California Chrome Goes For Second Triple Crown Jewel

The post positions have been drawn and the morning line is set, and Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome has been made a clear 3/5 favorite for Saturday’s running of the $1.5 million Grade 1 Preakness Stakes. When he breaks from post #3, California Chrome will be gunning for the second leg of the US Triple Crown, while nine others will be hot on his heels to try and deny him. ‘Chrome comes into the race having won four straight starts in 2014, and seven of 11 lifetime.

'Chrome wins every race by open lengths

In fact, California Chrome is on a five-race winning-streak, having captured the King Glorious Stakes at Hollywood Park in his last start as a two year old. What’s even more impressive is that ‘Chrome won that race, at 7 furlongs, on the Hollywood synthetic track, won his next three on the super fast Santa Anita dirt at distances from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles, and then took the 1 1/4 miles Derby on the deeper and slower dirt at Churchill Downs. And he’s won those races by a combined 17 lengths, with the closest competitor being Commanding Curve in the Derby, 1 3/4 lengths behind.

Gamble has paid off for the Dumb Asses

Essentially a $2000 foal, California Chrome has been a California gold mine for his owners, the partnership that races under the name of Dumb Ass Stables – so called for a remark a trainer made when the partners decided to purchase a $8,000 mare, and breed her with visions of racing glory. They’re not looking so dumb now, with $2.5 million in the bank. Going into the Preakness, California Chrome appears to be far and away the best horse, with none of his competition having a Grade I win on their resume, while California Chrome now has two. He’s likely to add another on Saturday.