Chrome' Two Thirds Home

   What was already shaping up to be an exciting day of racing at Belmont Park June 7 could now be one for the ages as Steve Coburn and Perry Martin's California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) kicked home 1 1/4 lengths clear in yesterday's GI Preakness S., setting up his date with Triple Crown destiny in three more weeks. Away perfectly despite talk of occasional gate issues, the GI Kentucky Derby hero and overwhelming 1-2 favorite took up a perfect spot into the first turn just behind pacesetter Pablo Del Monte (Giant's Causeway) and the surprisingly close Ria Antonia (Rockport Harbor). He rated kindly from the two path behind splits of :23.58, :46.85 and 1:11.06, but was asked to go a bit early by pilot Victor Espinoza when second choice Social Inclusion (Pioneerof the Nile) ranged up on his outside entering the home bend. That pair hit the top of the lane on near-even terms, but the flashy Social Inclusion–who had acted up a bit in the post parade–could not match strides with the Derby winner when called up. Ride On Curlin (Curlin) looked to make a race of it after a sweeping turn bid from off the pace, but California Chrome had too much left for that rival as well as he cruised home under only mild urging. Social Inclusion was far back in third, narrowly holding off General a Rod (Roman Ruler). 
   “A Triple Crown winner, if you had said that to me at the beginning of the year, I would have said, “Are you crazy?” 77-year-old conditioner Art Sherman said when asked about being 66% of the way towards ending the 
35-year Triple Crown drought. “Now that I'm getting closer, I'm elated, really big time.” 
   Espinoza rode 2002 Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem (Our Emblem) before a disappointing eighth in the GI Belmont S., but was excited for another crack at history yesterday. “It means a lot, and I'm ready,” he said. “Hopefully California Chrome comes back good. It's tough, but I'm just glad to have my second chance in my career. In a million years I didn't think I was going to have a second chance. I was very close once. But it will work out. Life goes on, and over a decade, here we go. I'm here again.” 
   Absolutely dominant in the Mar. 8 GII San Felipe S. and Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby when stretching his win streak to four, California Chrome marched on to Louisville a solid–if not well-knocked–5-2 favorite. And while he exited the Run for the Roses a decisive 1 3/4-length winner, there were still a few lingering doubts. Though he had run much faster in shorter races in California, his final Derby-winning time was just 2:03.66–the slowest clocking since 1974. A minor blister in his throat had also flared up during Preakness week, and while it was a hot topic of conversation by fans and members of the media, his connections minimized it as completely inconsequential. The potential for a quick pace in the Preakness was also presented as a potential hurdle for California Chrome, as he had enjoyed a perfect trip just behind average splits in Kentucky, but the fractions here shook out as more honest than break-neck, and the tactically gifted superstar again put himself in a perfect position. 
   “I had to move early today,” noted Espinoza. I had to start moving in the half-mile pole, which is tough for a horse to start moving early and keep going all the way to the end. It's not easy. And today, California Chrome proved he can move. Even if he's a little early, he still has it. I don't know how much still has, but I made sure I got him to the wire first today.” 
   Added Sherman, “He broke great and had a perfect trip. I was so happy when I saw where he was able to set him. Right now he's really on his toes and doing good. He's a remarkable horse to come back in two weeks and win. I know he's not the only horse that ever did that, but it's tough on a horse to come back in two weeks. I appreciate everyone involved in my team. They did a hell of a job. Both my sons are here. It's very emotional.” 
   Sherman said California Chrome will likely stay at Pimlico for the next few days and then head straight to New York. 
   Co-owner Steve Coburn was understandably emotional after watching his modestly bred colt continue his improbable rise to greatness. 
   “I don't know how to explain how I feel within my heart and soul,” he said at the post-race press conference. “It's hard for me because I get very emotional about it. But I honestly believe this horse is America's horse. He's giving everybody that little light bulb when it clicks on, saying, 'You know what? We can do this. We can do this with just a little bit more try. We can do it.' I've always told my wife [Carolyn], I said, 'When I die, on my headstone put my name and say a man that loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and he always had try, period.'” 
Saturday, Pimlico 
PREAKNESS S.-GI, $1,500,000, PIM, 5-17, 3yo, 
1 3/16m, 1:54 4/5, ft. 
1–CALIFORNIA CHROME, 126, c, 3, by 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/B-Perry Martin & Steve Coburn (CA); T-Art 
   Sherman; J-Victor Espinoza. $900,000. 
   Lifetime Record: MGISW, 12-8-1-0, $3,452,650. 
   Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the 
 eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 
2–Ride On Curlin, 126, c, 3, Curlin–Magical Ride, 
   by Storm Cat. ($25,000 yrl '12 KEESEP). O-Daniel J 
   Dougherty; B-G Watts Jr & Louise Ireland Humphrey 
   Rev Trust – 2 (KY); T-William G Gowan. $300,000. 
3–Social Inclusion, 126, c, 3, Pioneerof the Nile– 
   Saint Bernadette, by Saint Ballado. ($60,000 yrl '12 
   KEESEP). O-Rontos Racing Stable Corp; 
   B-Robert Tillyer, Martin Keogh & Dr C Blackey (KY); 
   T-Manuel J Azpurua. $165,000. 
Margins: 1HF, 6HF, HD. Odds: 0.50, 10.30, 5.30. 
Also Ran: General a Rod, Ring Weekend, Pablo Del Monte, Dynamic Impact, Kid Cruz, Bayern, Ria Antonia. 
Click for the brisnet.com chart, the brisnet.com PPs or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.