California Chrome Shines In California Cup Derby

Kentucky Derby 2014 contender California Chrome put in a monster performance under Victor Espinoza at Santa Anita to romp in the $250,000 California Cup Derby for California-breds or California-sired three year olds. 

California Chrome, trained by Art Sherman, went off at 5/2 second choice behind heavily favored Tamarando who was at 9/5 by post time. California Chrome broke well from the gate and sat just off of the quick pace with early fractions 23.47 seconds for the first quarter mile and 47.47 seconds for the opening half mile. As the field turned for home, California Chrome made a powerful move to put away his 10 rivals. He stopped the clock in 1:43.22 for a mile and a sixteenth. It was a dominant performance and he benefitted from a clean trip as his trainer Art Sherman noted. 

California Chrome is a three year old chestnut colt foaled in California owned & bred by Martin Perry and Steve Coburn. He is by Lucky Pulpit and out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase. This was his fourth career victory and third stakes victory which pushed his earnings to just over $364,000.

California Chrome paid $7.00/$3.80/$3.20 for a $2 wager. Tamarando returned $3.40 and $2.60 while Life Is a Joy returned $4.60 for third. Life Is a Joy was followed by Awesome Return, Better Bet, Public Policy, Lucky Views, Aotearoa, Oh Billy Billy and Electric Eddie.