Love this piece! This guy represents the backbone of racing imho.
I’ve been “following” racing most of my life and I’m in my 70s now, so while I’ve never been actively involved on a personal basis, have to say I’m a fan and keeping fingers crossed Chrome … and his ‘team’, which truly seems to be a team rather than a group of high $ professionals … make it all the way.
Truly refreshing to see ordinary people, who are not too “professional” to be openly and honestly delighted with their situation and let the world know how much fun they are having.
This is a story Walter Farley could have written.
I have some great pics I will upload later today but wanted to say he was hands down the freshest horse I have ever seen in the test barn. He looked like he was going to the paddock. He didn’t turn a hair.
Well, as a Cal-bred myself, I’m rooting for this all the way. I’d love to finally get to see a Triple Crown and would love to see this horse be the one to break the drought.
Although I gotta say all the comments about breeding Chrome to Zenyatta that I see on other boards makes me go :rolleyes: n00bs, do they even know horse racing.
NY doesn’t allow nasal strips. Owners and Art Sherman not happy.
Because nasal strips are the first thing that comes to mind when I think of racing reform.
Not trying to be a wet blanket, just expressing an opinion. Sorry it’s not the popular one. And I won’t knock the horse down if he wins the TC, I will happily admit I was wrong and hop on y’all’s bandwagon! Guess we’ll see in 3 weeks! FWIW, I loved the Raul Rodriguez story, too.
OK, thanks for answering that question. I thought that was the case. It sure does seem like a dumb rule.
Too many pics to post here. Check out my facebook page if you want to see them.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/McDowell-Racing-Stables
[QUOTE=TBLover;7582246]
OK, thanks for answering that question. I thought that was the case. It sure does seem like a dumb rule.[/QUOTE]
Actually I hadn’t seen your question, I had just heard of the nasal strip thing this morning! I totally agree with you.
[QUOTE=Sportpony;7582222]
Truly refreshing to see ordinary people, who are not too “professional” to be openly and honestly delighted with their situation and let the world know how much fun they are having.
This is a story Walter Farley could have written.[/QUOTE]
Oh, it would make a great a Walter Farley story! I can picture the drawings now 
What a thrilling race! I’ve been a fan of CC since I first noticed him in the prep races.
What caught my attention was how closely he resembles the last TC winner, Affirmed: his intelligence, his versatility, his ability to take a long and restful nap on race day.
This IS the kind of horse that could take the whole enchilada. I’ll be rooting for him on June 7.
Maybe he is the second coming of Secretariat. That’s what you guys are saying, isn’t it? Well, maybe he is. Just with no Sham or Alydar around.
The pressure on Churchill Downs for being assholes now makes the NYTimes again.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/18/sports/preakness-stakes-roundup.html?ref=sports
I like his story. Things like this might save racing. But I hate the “outsider” publicity that always gets pushed with horses like this, Mine That Bird, and Seattle Slew. I’m sure there are other examples, but it’s become rather tired.
Nobody has claimed he is the second coming of Secretariat. Get a grip.
The outsider story does get old every year or few years. But it’s what sells newspapers, or in this case NBC viewing time. Everybody loves the underdog kinda stuff. NBC does the same crap with the Olympics… “he lost both his parents to a sea monster, and then a pack of wild dogs ate his legs off… but he overcame all these difficulties to win the 100m hurdles in record time”
I couldn’t care less personally. I like good racehorses, whether they are owned by Sheik Mo, or by Billy Bob next door.
California Chrome is a heck of horse.
I don’t see why we can’t just enjoy a nice horse for what he is. He is a true professional, owned and trained by good people. That alone is worth celebrating.
As to this year being a weak crop of 3 year olds…that is what he has to run against. He can’t run the Triple Crown races against any other crop…he has to be 3. There have been other weak TC fields in recent years and no one has managed a TC in 36 years as it is damned hard to accomplish.
I would love to see another TC winner and California Chrome has a chance. Go Chrome. It has been a long time.
Susan
For anyone that didn’t read Fran Jurga’s blog post on his shoes after the Derby, it’s an interesting piece on Chrome’s farriery.
Maybe that’s how he does so well, what with just being a glorified allowance horse and all… 
[QUOTE=ridingagain;7581950]
I agree with Viney… Still not impressed with this colt yet. I think he will get beaten in the Belmont, he had a lot of luck in the Derby and a great ride in the Preakness. I’m looking forward to next year to see what Zenyatta’s and Rachel Alexandra’s colts will do. And, just an aside, but I think the owner’s choice of “Dumb Ass Racing” is very disrespectful to the sport… tacky.[/QUOTE]
How did CC have a lot of luck in the Derby?! I was amazed he won, he was boxed in for chrissake.
My nerves are too delicate to be able to watch the Belmont (heck couldn’t even watch the Derby or Preakness live) but I will be rooting for him. Glad for him that he had a quick trip in the Preakness. Even if he doesn’t win the TC he’s obviously proved himself to be a very good horse!
I wish the TV coverage had stuff like interviewing the breeder, instead of so much about betting and hats. Obviously the horse has lived up to her vision, and probably exceeded even her wildest dreams.
Horse racing’s negative image comes from much more than a perception of being an elitist sport. 
[QUOTE=grayarabpony;7582488]
How did CC have a lot of luck in the Derby?! I was amazed he won, he was boxed in for chrissake.
My nerves are too delicate to be able to watch the Belmont (heck couldn’t even watch the Derby or Preakness live) but I will be rooting for him. Glad for him that he had a quick trip in the Preakness. Even if he doesn’t win the TC he’s obviously proved himself to be a very good horse!
I wish the TV coverage had stuff like interviewing the breeder, instead of so much about betting and hats. Obviously the horse has lived up to her vision, and probably exceeded even her wildest dreams.[/QUOTE]
CC was never boxed in in the a Derby. He had an absolutely perfect trip.
But he makes his own luck in that he allows the jock to put him where he needs to be. He did this yesterday when he bossed SI out of his way as the vied for position in the run to the first turn.
The he owner is the breeder.
Victor Espinoza looks to be an incredible jockey. Why hasn’t he been more of a presence over the last few years?
CC looked so quiet when they were going to the gate I worried he might be too laid back to get it done. He is one hell of a horse, and in another life, is handsome enough to be a conformation hunter.
It has been so long since a horse one the triple crown, I decided I just couldn’t hope yesterday. I have a cat who thinks I have lost my mind, based on my behavior as I watched him come around the final turn and down the stretch.
