California Chrome

[LaurieB]

[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7565024]
He geared down because his jock stood in the stirrups before the finish line. Thought I was seeing things at the time. With Commanding Curve coming on like a tornado, that was a foolish thing to do and could have cost them the race.[/QUOTE]

Espinoza said he powered down because he knew he had the race won and he wanted to save something for the Preakness. Not at all a bad strategy–especially with Art Sherman saying later that he would greatly prefer not to have to run the horse back in two weeks.

Commanding Curve was making up ground at the end (and running full out) but he only got to within two lengths of the winner. It was never close enough for the outcome to be in any doubt.

[rcloisonne]

Regarding times, just thought I’d jot down winning times since 2003. Who’d have thought Funny Cide would be the winner?

2014 California Chrome 2:03.66
2013 Orb 2:02.89
2012 I’ll Have Another 2:01.83
2011 Animal Kingdom 2:02.04
2010 Super Saver 2:04.45
2009 Mine That Bird 2:02.66
2008 Big Brown 2:01.82
2007 Sreet Sense 2:02.17
2006 Barbaro 2:01.36
2005 Giacomo 2:02.75
2004 Smarty Jones 2:04.06
2003 Funny Cide 2:01.19

[danceronice]

I reminded a couple naysayers on facebook…they weren’t asking him for a full charge because they didnt’ need it. Why use up your horse if you can win without it?

[DLee]

[QUOTE=rivaridge;7565402]
He has won his last few races easily, with ears pricked. He still hasn’t been asked for all he has.

BTW, here is Haskin’s wonderful Derby recap for those who haven’t seen it already.
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2014/05/05/haskin-s-derby-recap-california-dreamin.aspx[/QUOTE]

I noticed that about some of the photos I’ve seen, ears pricked! I watched the Santa Anita Derby and was just blown away, one of the most beautiful races I’ve ever seen, so fun to watch.

Met Art Sherman and Team Chrome at the Trainer’s Dinner, what super nice people, love everything about this horse and their story.

And Steve Haskins piece is great.

[WhiteCamry]

[QUOTE=merrygoround;7565234]
Kinda defeats the purpose to hit them in the head. :lol:[/QUOTE]

As Jay Trump once demonstrated.

[clint]

Thanks so much for the link to Haskin’s blog! Great to read.

[greenleaf]

[QUOTE=harvestmoon;7565332]
Seriously. After the race, it looked like he didn’t even break a sweat.

Greenleaf, I think you need to watch the replay again. I’m not saying he’s the second coming, but you’re shortchanging him. He wasn’t being whipped for all he was worth. The whip was being waved at him.

As for good racehorses not needing to be shown the whip…well, I’m pretty sure Secretariat got popped a few times in the Derby. And he was pretty good, I think.[/QUOTE]

OK , I watched it several more times and from the camera angle, it sure looks like he is whipping the horse along the stretch. I counted 17 times. During the race, at the resaurant on the big screen, one guy exclaimed “look at him whip that horse”

It would appear he is swinging the whip from the jokeys side to the rump of the horse.

I wasn’t going to bring this up but,if you look at the blanket of roses, the horse is soaked w/sweat, or did somebody dump a bucket of water on his head?

I’m not arguing against Chrome, I have seen many great horse, and this one doesn’t have the ear marks. I hope he wins more races.

[caffeinated]

[QUOTE=greenleaf;7566755]
I wasn’t going to bring this up but,if you look at the blanket of roses, the horse is soaked w/sweat, or did somebody dump a bucket of water on his head? [/QUOTE]

I think they sponged his head. You see that a lot after races, it’s a way to help cool them down a little bit when they can’t get right back for a bath.

Actually, I was wrong, it was a bottle of water, not a sponge.

http://media.kansascity.com/smedia/2014/05/03/20/00/1hT7Co.SlMa.79.jpeg

There are more pics here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/05/03/5001007_a5001190/california-chrome-wins-140th-ky.html including a bunch post-race where it looks like there’s not a drop of sweat on him.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

[QUOTE=greenleaf;7566755]
OK , I watched it several more times and from the camera angle, it sure looks like he is whipping the horse along the stretch. I counted 17 times. During the race, at the resaurant on the big screen, one guy exclaimed “look at him whip that horse”

It would appear he is swinging the whip from the jokeys side to the rump of the horse.

I wasn’t going to bring this up but,if you look at the blanket of roses, the horse is soaked w/sweat, or did somebody dump a bucket of water on his head?

I’m not arguing against Chrome, I have seen many great horse, and this one doesn’t have the ear marks. I hope he wins more races.[/QUOTE]

You must be watching the wrong race.
He hits the horse a total of 4 times by my counting. The rest is urging.

Here is a High Def replay… put it on full screen and change the settings to quality 720HD and the speed to 0.5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_p5dyb-oY

It was a fantastic ride from Victor, texbook stuff.

[CVPeg]

The dams of the sires of both the 1st and 2nd place horses in the KD are on the same farm!

My favorite quote, “We don’t want to tell them too much because you never know. If they know too much they might colic or something. We want to keep them humble.” :lol:

http://thisishorseracing.com/news/index.php/this-is-horse-racing/2642-elm-tree-farm-turns-a-rare-derby-double#.U2pjpTjRjgQ.facebook

[harvestmoon]

[QUOTE=greenleaf;7566755]
OK , I watched it several more times and from the camera angle, it sure looks like he is whipping the horse along the stretch. I counted 17 times. During the race, at the resaurant on the big screen, one guy exclaimed “look at him whip that horse”

It would appear he is swinging the whip from the jokeys side to the rump of the horse.

I wasn’t going to bring this up but,if you look at the blanket of roses, the horse is soaked w/sweat, or did somebody dump a bucket of water on his head?

I’m not arguing against Chrome, I have seen many great horse, and this one doesn’t have the ear marks. I hope he wins more races.[/QUOTE]

No way he was hit 17 times down the stretch. Drvmb1ggl3 is right on.

It’s not sweat, it’s water.

[ravenclaw]

[QUOTE=LaurieB;7565534]
Commanding Curve was making up ground at the end (and running full out) but he only got to within two lengths of the winner. It was never close enough for the outcome to be in any doubt.[/QUOTE]

I thought Commanding Curve was really impressive…the fractions up front weren’t that fast and Commanding Curve was pretty far back and he got up there for 2nd place (by less than 2 lengths).

[Swedish_Oxer1]

@greenleaf;7565183

Nothing to write home about;

I was happy for the budget race team to pull off a win. Reminds me of '03 I think it was when Funny Cide ran/won.

However, there was not a thing outstanding about Chrome’s race. Anyone can see that in the time he ran as well as the huge fact the jockey was whipping him for all he was worth.

Here’s the best video of the Derby I’ve found. Can set it all the way up to 1080p. I see maybe 2 or 3 times Espinoza could have actually hit him.

@greenleaf;7565183

A great horse will simply run and the jocky hangs on for the ride. That is just a fact.

You mean like Chrome in the Santa Anita? Didn’t even have to show him the whip. Such an effortless win.

@greenleaf;7566755

It would appear he is swinging the whip from the jokeys side to the rump of the horse.

I wasn’t going to bring this up but,if you look at the blanket of roses, the horse is soaked w/sweat, or did somebody dump a bucket of water on his head?

Yes, he was swinging the whip but not actually hitting him. This is what you were seeing.

And as someone mentioned, he had a water bottle poured on his head before entering the winner’s circle.

Before water bottle, looking like he just left the barn:
http://media.kansascity.com/smedia/2014/05/03/18/59/1dPS5q.SlMa.79.jpeg
http://media.kansascity.com/smedia/2014/05/03/20/00/VDZre.SlMa.79.jpeg

After the water bottle:
http://media.kansascity.com/smedia/2014/05/03/19/49/13nArI.SlMa.79.jpeg

[SnicklefritzG]

[QUOTE=greenleaf;7566755]

[snip]

I’m not arguing against Chrome, I have seen many great horse, and this one doesn’t have the ear marks. I hope he wins more races.[/QUOTE]

I don’t know what your intentions were, but you know, I can’t stand it when people make such negative comments when people are trying to enjoy what was an exciting race. If you personally don’t think he’s a great horse, please keep it to yourself and let the rest of us enjoy the replays and conversations.

[vineyridge]

Andrew Beyer gave this Derby a 97 speed figure and says that it’s beginning to look as if the Derby distance is too long for most American bred TBs. Says that California Chrome wasn’t moving out throughout the race; the rest were collapsing.

IIRC, the article is in the DRF today.

[BlueLodge]

[QUOTE=rcloisonne;7565024]
He geared down because his jock stood in the stirrups before the finish line. Thought I was seeing things at the time. With Commanding Curve coming on like a tornado, that was a foolish thing to do and could have cost them the race.[/QUOTE]

One commentator said it was a slow race and had it been longer, Curve could have nicked him.

Preakness will be interesting with all the new runners in it. Chrome may prove himself yet, though likely post dependent.

[Sparrowette]

[QUOTE=BlueLodge;7567909]
One commentator said it was a slow race and had it been longer, Curve could have nicked him.

Preakness will be interesting with all the new runners in it. Chrome may prove himself yet, though likely post dependent.[/QUOTE]

Well, that’s horse racing - couda’, shouda’, wouda’, what if???

The proof is in the pudding. He won - and handily.

I’ll be happy if he’s still sound after all three.

[Angelico]

[QUOTE=BlueLodge;7567909]
One commentator said it was a slow race and had it been longer, Curve could have nicked him.

Preakness will be interesting with all the new runners in it. Chrome may prove himself yet, though likely post dependent.[/QUOTE]

Commanding Curve has yet to run nearly as quickly as California Chrome did in his last few races in CA. The slow time in the Derby really doesn’t mean anything, considering he bested the field with ease and we already know he can run in record time when asked.

[vineyridge]

[QUOTE=Angelico;7568057]
Commanding Curve has yet to run nearly as quickly as California Chrome did in his last few races in CA. The slow time in the Derby really doesn’t mean anything, considering he bested the field with ease and we already know he can run in record time when asked.[/QUOTE]

You’re ignoring distance. He’s basically, as far as I can see, sprinter/miler bred who can stretch a bit.

[SportArab]

I find it interesting that there is all this negativity about the horse. Where does it come from?

There have certainly been other sprinter bred horses that have managed to get the distance. Depends on the training, the horse and most off all the horse’s heart. I think this horse has heart.