By Ben Massam
ARCADIA, Ca – With Breeders' Cup week gearing up to full throttle, the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) held a successful 'Evening With Team California Chrome' at Matt Denny's Ale House in Arcadia Wednesday night, featuring a panel discussion with the GI Breeders' Cup Classic favorite's connections. Hosted by TVG analyst and four-time Major League Baseball all-star Paul Lo Duca, trainer Art Sherman, breeder Perry Martin, jockey Victor Espinoza and Frank Taylor of Taylor Made chatted with attendees and helped raise money to benefit aftercare initiatives. National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback, Dan Metzger of TOBA–a sponsor of the evening–trainer Brian Lynch and California Chrome's co-breeder Steve Coburn were among those in the audience.
Mike McMahon, president of the TCA, kicked the night off with a lively introduction, encouraging crowd participation and stirring up some cheers from the 'Chromies' in attendance. McMahon joined in the celebration of California Chrome, but was also quick to remind everyone that the evening was designed to help horses in need.
“Not every Cal-bred is California Chrome,” McMahon asserted. “I know about your commitment to California Chrome, but I want to know your commitment to every horse.”
McMahon passed the microphone off to Lo Duca, who compared his own career in basecball to California Chrome's development into a top-notch older horse. The night continued on with a blend of humor, storytelling and reflections on California Chrome's career. Perry Martin offered a frank assessment of what racing at the highest level has meant to him, Victor Espinoza spoke about his connection with the horse, and Art Sherman commented on comparisons between 'Chrome' and the other Big Horse in his life, Hall of Famer Swaps.
“Now I have California Chrome…he's as good as Swaps,” Sherman remarked. “I say to myself, 'Wow, I've been so lucky to have two horses that are so talented in my life.”
Frank Taylor had plenty of stories to tell, including an anecdote about long-time Taylor Made stallion Unbridled's Song, the sire of California Chrome's chief rival in the Classic, Arrogate. Although Team Chrome pulled no punches with their opinion of which horse would emerge victorious, Taylor had praise for their sophomore rival and his connections.
“Arrogate is the most like Unbridled's Song I've ever seen, and he's in very good hands,” Taylor concluded.
The evening concluded with Lo Duca passing the mic back to McMahon, who conducted an auction of a California Chrome halter worn Wednesday morning, as well as the silks to be worn by Espinoza aboard Chrome in Saturday's Classic. Alan Sherman, assistant to his father, kept the bidding going for the halter, but was outbid at the last moment by Taylor's $3,100 offer, prompting McMahon to quip, “This is what Taylor Made does all the time.”
Owner/breeder Nathan McCauley, the co-founder of Tennessee's Providence Auto Group, went to $13,000 to secure California Chrome's silks. The live auction was followed by a silent auction of additional 'Chrome' memorablia, while members of Team Chrome posed for photos on the stage with fans.
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