Chrome-ology . . .

[Shammy_Davis]

trying to make sense of the general public’s fascination about the horse? It is good for racing only if he draws fans from the chat boards into stands. The discussion about this colt hits all the bases, from the reverent to irreverent.

CC no doubt is a brilliant athletic specimen but even the newest Triple Crown champion was barely holding the attention that CC was getting in 2015 and still retains today. What am I missing?

Even Ray Paulick is taking on the issue in The Friday Show.

http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/the-friday-show-chrome-ology-racing-filmology/

[Texarkana]

I think folks were taken in by his “rags to riches” story, even though it’s a hyperbole to call it that.

First time race horse owners win the Kentucky Derby with a baby they bred themselves, despite everyone saying he didn’t have the pedigree to do it. His owner/breeder was an outspoken cowboy who didn’t fit in with the regular racing crowd. His trainer is a loveable curmudgeon of a horseman who time had forgotten. There is a even a greedy, villainous co-owner. And the horse is drop dead gorgeous to boot. Throw in a little romance and you have a Lifetime movie of the week.

[spotted_draft_x_fill]

Because it was another feel good came from nothing story blown up by the media and people ate it up. Plus with modern technology it’s easier for some of the crazed fans to join hands and go nuts together.

[keepthelegend]

Well, first it’s a rags to riches story and everyone likes that. Then he all that flash, or should I say chrome, and a zest for running and is fun to watch. Then he was sent to England and had all the owner drama after the Belmont and the circus afterwards. His trainer is the oldest trainer to ever win the Derby and the kind of person people like to see do well. Also, CC has stuck around and is running as a 5 yr old, which gives the fans a chance to really get attached!

[Tutt]

For me, it’s the incredible care that has surrounded him throughout his career (though the England adventure probably an exception) Plus Chrome as a kind and intelligent horse. I’ve had and cared for (all kept at home) thoroughbreds my entire life, (my mother had a couple when I was born) My No Alibi came off the track and a little more than a year later was AHSA Horse of the Year Amateur Owner. As someone who cares for three retired racehorses everyday, I see Chrome thrive with the people surrounding him. I was lucky to get one of the Chrome tour tickets for Taylor Made in late September. Knowing nothing about the Taylors, I was amazed at the care, innovations and most of all, their devotion to Chrome. My 12-minute slide show is at: http://www.pennyloebwordsandphotos.com/California%20Chrome%20Taylor%20Made/index.html (Doesn’t really play on phones)

[dreamswept]

[QUOTE=Tutt;8548046]
For me, it’s the incredible care that has surrounded him throughout his career (though the England adventure probably an exception) Plus Chrome as a kind and intelligent horse. I’ve had and cared for (all kept at home) thoroughbreds my entire life, (my mother had a couple when I was born) My No Alibi came off the track and a little more than a year later was AHSA Horse of the Year Amateur Owner. As someone who cares for three retired racehorses everyday, I see Chrome thrive with the people surrounding him. I was lucky to get one of the Chrome tour tickets for Taylor Made in late September.Knowing nothing about the Taylors, I was amazed at the care, innovations and most of all, their devotion to Chrome. My 12-minute slide show is at: http://www.pennyloebwordsandphotos.com/California%20Chrome%20Taylor%20Made/index.html (Doesn’t really play on phones)[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure if you can say he’s “kind” though. He’s got a pretty good reputation as a biter. He’s not mean-spirited in a I-KEEL-YOU Calimonco attitude, but he’s not that sort of lovey dovey go-lie-down-in-the-stall kind of guy that American Pharoah is. That’s not to say he’d take a chunk outta ya each time, but one just has to be alert to his moods.

They probably had him Aced up the wazoo on the Fan Days. Which is no shame to it, I remember in the last days of Zenyatta’s time at Hollywood Park, when she was getting so many visitors, I think they were making sure she was on Happy stuff. The final day visitors were allowed, there were a good 100+ folks to see her, they even took her back to her stall for a few during the round of pictures and probably gave her more Ace before they brought her back out.

[LaurieB]

[QUOTE=Tutt;8548046]
I was lucky to get one of the Chrome tour tickets for Taylor Made in late September. Knowing nothing about the Taylors, I was amazed at the care, innovations and most of all, their devotion to Chrome. My 12-minute slide show is at: http://www.pennyloebwordsandphotos.com/California%20Chrome%20Taylor%20Made/index.html (Doesn’t really play on phones)[/QUOTE]

That was fun to watch. Thank you!

[Draftmare]

Not sure that I understand it either. Many of the horses that did well in the Triple Crown races faded into obscurity shortly afterwards unless there was a Breeders Cup bid in the works. The only thing I can figure is that people are enjoying the drama with the owners.

[ASB_Stars]

I think that it is a combination of the original feel good story that, in reality was not altogether the case, along with the fact that he looked like the second coming of Secretariat, for the unwashed masses. Big, good looking red horse, with four socks, instead of Secretariats three, but you get my point.

AP, for all of his talent, ability and record, isn’t flashy. He was workmanlike and brilliant. Horsemen truly understand his importance, but the public? Notsomuch.

Is CC a great racehorse? I think that the jury is still out. Right now, he is a helluva a horse, who has won some, and made a lot of money, but it remains to be seen if he will be remembered more for his accomplishments on the track, or all of the fanfare.

[mommy_peanut]

I think it started due to all the “rags to riches” media hype, add in owner drama, plus the fact that he wasn’t immediately shuttled off to stud at the end of his 3y/o year. It makes for an interesting following for those fans that don’t know much, but remember a flashy horse.
I follow him as I love seeing a solid horse being allowed to continue his racing career further than 3yrs old.

[shezabrazenmare]

I’ve never been a Chrome fan but he did look good in the race the other day. He ran wide the whole race but he won going away

[caffeinated]

I really like Chrome. He was my pick for the Derby, I like his running style, and I like that he seemed to outperform expectations (both breeding wise, and build wise - I don’t really like his conformation, between the crooked legs and the way his back end attaches to his body). I like that the connections were willing to take seemingly crazy chances with him, sending him to Dubai and England. So it’s easy for me to be a fan.

I don’t know, though, what attracts the intense fascination (especially from people who aren’t familiar with the sport and seem nutty), though. That kind of thing always strikes me as odd.

[Texarkana]

I love the horse. He is a dang fine racehorse, and at this moment, he’s the best older horse in the country by a landslide.

But I could deal without the circus around him.

[Shammy_Davis]

I agree with what everyone has said. The OP is referring to non-horsey fans. Why Chrome? Why not Wise Dan, or for that matter why don’t they jump on the bandwagon for racehorses in general. Maybe it’s the Steve and Perry personality magnetism that I am missing but I really don’t get it. I do remember when KELSO was running and fans were showing up at the tracks to see him but it seems social media has an excitement all its own.

I’m just getting too old to relate to this I guess.

[Texarkana]

Wise Dan didn’t win the Kentucky Derby.

While I don’t follow the craziness, I do get the impression that the majority of Chrome’s fans couldn’t name five other racehorses if they were asked.

Just before moving south 10 years ago, I experienced fanatical craziness firsthand thanks to my employment caring for another famous derby winner with a kooky fan base. Most of the crazies were animal lovers, not racing lovers. And thankfully for my own sanity, they were not social networking savvy, since sites like Myspace and Facebook were in their infancy. Although I did have to change my COTH name at that time, because despite staying away from the conversation and remaining incredibly tight-lipped, I still was outed and hounded. Those fans were super sleuths I tell you. They sent me mail for years… even after I moved to TN. I still don’t know how they got my address. Considering what minor players my coworkers and myself were in the whole thing, I don’t even understand why they wanted to reach out to us.

[Shammy_Davis]

WISE DAN had a very nice old man as his owner. Also a SUCESSFUL DAN for a brother. What’s not to love about that? Sounds the perfect human interest story to me.

[harvestmoon]

Wise Dan didn’t win races that make casual racing fans take notice.

[roseymare]

Why not Mine The Bird? He had an atypical story too…

[Shammy_Davis]

Or Lisa’s Booby Trap? Who can’t get emotional over that story? Certainly the atypical love story all the way around. We need some Lisa’s Booby Trappers to combat the crazy Chrome movement and return sanity and sentimentality to the racing world. And what ever happened to the Zenyatta’s fans? We can barely get a thread going about her kids. I think the Z fans must be taking a nap. Getting their Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz so to speak.

Well, when it comes to the Chrommies, we do have the COTH Moderator on our side. :yes: Well, maybe not totally. Am I spelling Chrommies right? I’m sure it is a word that will added to the dictionary in the near future. The definition will probably be something like “people who are attracted to a famous horse owned by two men with divergent personalities and little or no common sense.”

As for Mr. Fink, WISE DAN’s owner, to somewhat quote our current President, he could have been my father. Well, maybe, if he had been in his early teens when I was conceived. That would be an atypical story too. But who would participate in a horse racing movement called the “Finks.”

So far Texarkana makes the most sense to me. How do you explain the unexplainable? You can’t.

[harvestmoon]

Honestly, I don’t worry about it too much. I usually just roll my eyes at the Chromies (proper pronunciation) and move on.

The question is: why didn’t American Pharoah get a frothing fanbase? He’s a plain brown wrapper with wealthy owners and a talented trainer who gets lots of talented horses? Not as exciting for the casual fan, I guess.