California Chrome

[rivaridge]

I was crying and shaking after this one. I hardly ever cry. There is something about California Chrome that just stirs my soul. I’ve been following him since his win in the King Glorious and thought he would be a graded stakes contender at some point in his career, but I never thought he’d be this good. I watched him that day with so much sadness in my heart over the fact that Hollywood Park was closing, but I watched him today with overwhelming joy. His story is unbelievable.

I’m young and had convinced myself that TC winners are a thing of the past, that they just don’t make 'em like they used to… but who knows. CC has already come this far with the odds stacked against him. I’m really trying hard not to get too carried away but I think it’s going to be a futile effort. LOL.

Onward to New York!

[Fred]

A beautiful horse, a beautiful ride… I might have teared up a bit too.

[Equine_Studies]

[QUOTE=armchair_Quaterback;7581707]
When Chrome put Social Inclusion away going down the stretch?

I burst into tears.

Does he have the stamina to get a mile and a half? We’ll just have to wait and see![/QUOTE]

Me too! My dog was wondering why I was screaming “come on” at the TV.

[CVPeg]

My cat flew out of the room. :lol:

[back_in_the_saddle]

I missed it. Is there a video online anywhere?

[furlong47]

[QUOTE=back in the saddle;7581777]
I missed it. Is there a video online anywhere?[/QUOTE]

http://www.nbcsports.com/horse-racing/california-chrome-wins-preakness-stakes

[harvestmoon]

[QUOTE=back in the saddle;7581777]
I missed it. Is there a video online anywhere?[/QUOTE]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yA8TayEpLw

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=msrobin;7581674]
WOW Ride on Curlin surprised me! He totally ruined my bets Oh well. Love CHROME![/QUOTE]

Believe me, nothing to write home about. The $2 tri only paid $76. At this rate the Belmont will be a wagering waste of time…but I’ll trade that if it means Chrome wins again! (The dead heat wrecked my Super High Five but honestly, even THAT wasn’t much.)

Lucky Pulpit’s fee went “private” before the Derby. I bet they’re tacking zeros on as we speak.

[Tha_Ridge]

I’m really going to try to make it to Belmont in three weeks.

The horse looked great today. When they showed him in the paddock and he froze and just looked around, he already looked like a beast – just taking it all in before putting in some work.

I think he’s tremendously smart. You can say that he was being gained upon, but I think he knows exactly how much effort he has to put in without exerting himself. Looks like they might have done some work in the starting gate the past few weeks; he broke very well today.

[TBLover]

OK, I have a question re the Flair Nasal Strip that Chrome wears. Has he worn it in all his races? Back in 2012, when I’ll Have Another wore one, I remember reading that their use is not allowed in NY for flat racing and he could not wear one in the Belmont. Is the rule still the same now? Will Chrome not be allowed to continue to wear it in the Belmont? I wonder if it will make a difference if he cannot? Obviously, his connections think it must help him, otherwise he might not be wearing it. I think it would be a shame if he can’t wear it and it affects his performance.

[vineyridge]

Not to throw cold water on the festivities, but this appears to be a very poor crop of 3 yo TBs. Good quick Preakness, though by CC. Not one of the fastests by far, but still in the top 20% or so speeds.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=vineyridge;7581824]
Not to throw cold water on the festivities, but this appears to be a very poor crop of 3 yo TBs. Good quick Preakness, though by CC. Not one of the fastests by far, but still in the top 20% or so speeds.[/QUOTE]

Oh, bull. EVERY year there are complaints about what a “weak” crop it is (except for some reason Barbaro’s year, when it wasn’t that the competition was weak, it was he was somehow the second coming of Secretariat-I don’t see it and no,=, I don’t think he would have won the Triple Crown). Maybe they’re just average and Chrome is not. I’m sure in some cases there are horses who were also-rans today and in the Derby who will, if they keep running, be something awesome next year as they’re slower maturing (look at last year’s Derby field and who’s still running) or need to find a niche that isn’t dirt routes.

[CrowneDragon]

Just beyond happy for this horses connections and so thrilled for Art Sherman and his barn to have a horse like this.

I can’t imagine how anxious I would be having this horse in my barn right now!!! :eek:

[CVPeg]

Here’s Mike Watchmaker’s explanation for CC’s “worse” speed figure in the Derby. But he was not alone, and it doesn’t make sense…

http://www.drf.com/blogs/california-chrome-and-his-derby-beyer

[CrowneDragon]

Is there any place to watch a replay of the race with the post-race show (reactions, interviews, etc)? I missed all of that and I love that part.

Edit: Found it, for anyone interested
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNqmQEA1i-0

[Carol_Ames]

so, the groom sleeps in the stall? Love it! I did the same at shows and events because I could NOT afford a motel; It was OK at events:yes: but, the h/j people frowned on it:mad:; so, I parked my trunk outside the tent at WEF; I would have expected the owners to pay for a motel for the groom:confused:

[merrygoround]

If a horse is any more relaxed pre-race, than he was, just hanging out there, I haven’t seen it.

If nothing else, he has a great mind. He, though, also has a good rider who rode a very good race.

And Yes! I too was sofa thumping during those last few seconds.

[mroades]

He didn’t even look like he broke a sweat!

[ridingagain]

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.

[RainyDayRide]

[QUOTE=Maythehorsebewithme;7581647]

But what was that remark in the winner’s circle about Churchill should learn something from Pimlico regarding hospitality about?:eek:[/QUOTE]

[URL=“http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85152/coburn-jabs-churchill-on-derby-hospitality”]http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85152/coburn-jabs-churchill-on-derby-hospitality

ETA: hope somebody at Saratoga is paying attention.