California Chrome draws #1 in the Pennsylvania Derby
As the last huge race restricted to three-year-olds, the 2014 Pennsylvania Derby has attracted a strong field of eight sophomore males looking for not only a sizable payday, but also to head to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on a winning note. Headlining the million dollar race Saturday at Parx will be the long awaited return of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, California Chrome. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the nine furlong Pennsylvania Derby from the rail out ...
1- California Chrome (even) Victor Espinoza - The winner of 5-of-6 of this year, including smashing wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, needs little introduction. As the undisputed King of American racing during the first half of 2014, the flashy chestnut son of Lucky Pulpit looks to make his first start in the second half a winning one. To do so, he will need to overcome a solid field while making his first start in 3 ½ months. When last seen, Chrome checked in tied for 4th, while beaten only two lengths, in quest of the elusive Triple Crown. Bloodied and defeated, the would be champion headed back West for some needed rest and relaxation, and now comes back East fresh and ready.
2- Candy Boy (12-1) Joel Rosario - Other than a win over a suspect field in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis back in February, the attractive bay son of Candy Ride has not been able to get over the hump. A horrid run into the first turn of the Kentucky Derby left him with no chance that day, but subsequent runs in the Los Alamitos and West Virginia Derbies resulted in second place finishes. On his best, he remains a threat, but will need to improve on Saturday to upset the apple cart.
3- Protonico (6-1) Javier Castellano - Lightly raced and dangerous, he comes in off a win in the local prep in which the son of Giant’s Causeway surged late to just get up in the Smarty Jones. Prior to that, he just missed in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga while making only his second start of the year. That result was later flattered when the horse that edged him, V.E. Day came back to pull off a surprise in the Travers.
4- Bayern (7-2) Martin Garcia - Who will show up Saturday at Parx, the talented speedball who showed no mercy when routing good Haskell and Woody Stephens’ fields, or the colt who finished up the track in the Preakness and the Travers? The shorter distance of nine furlongs should help his cause, and as the speed of the speed, he is the one they will all have to try to catch when the real running begins.
5- Noble Moon (15-1) Irad Ortiz. Jr. - Leah Gyarmati brings this long shot to Parx along with the three-time Grade 1 winner Sweet Reason, who will be taking on Untapable in the Cotillion. Of the two, the filly would seem to have the better chance, although the Jerome winner is coming off a pretty good effort when he rallied for fourth in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop.
6- Classic Giacnroll (15-1) Kendrick Carmouche - Hard knocking colt has had plenty of chances to breakthrough against graded stakes competition this year, but has yet to get it done. He is coming off his best performance to date in a Smarty Jones near miss, but this step up in class will likely prove a bit more than he can handle.
7- Tapiture (5-1) Rosie Napravnik - Since a wide all-the-way-around trip in the Kentucky Derby left him mere wilted lettuce for the late stages, the Winchell-Asmussen charge has done nothing wrong. A facile score in the Grade 3 Matt Winn in June, then a courageous victory in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby are his two races since the big one. The way he overcame trouble before nailing Candy Boy on the wire last time, demonstrates just how good he has become. One of the favorite’s most dangerous opponents.
8- C J's Awesome (12-1) Edgar Prado - This Kenny McPeek charge had plenty of chances without much success earlier in the season, but turned things around with a good Saratoga allowance score at this distance in his latest. Still, it looks like this field may be a little too much for the son of Awesome Again.