California Chrome Cruises in Cal Cup

Up until now, the connections for California Chrome were mostly content to run the three-year-old Lucky Pulpit colt in stakes restricted to California breds. That may be changing, as on Saturday California Chrome won his third restricted stakes event – and second in a row – when he cruised to a 5 1/2 length victory in the $250,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita, going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt.  The quality of the win is evident by the fact the second place horse, Tamarando, was the winner of last year’s Grade I Del Mar Futurity.

Winner runs in good spot throughout

Second choice leaving the gate at 5-2, California Chrome sprinted to the front and then settled outside of Life is a Joy behind an honest pace set by Better Bet going 23.47 for the first quarter and 47.47 for the half. Midway on the final turn the two challengers moved together to sweep by Better Bet, and by the time they straightened for home California Chrome was starting to pull away. He powered through the final quarter in 24.78 and then eased up near the finish line with the race in hand.

Next test to be graded-stakes 

The favored Tamarando raced near the back of the pack through the first three-quarters of a mile and then came four wide in the stretch to get up for second, while Life is a Joy stayed on for third. After the race, California Chrome trainer Art Sherman said the colt will likely next start in the unrestricted $300,000 Grade II San Filipe Stakes on March 8. With the win, California Chrome now has a record of four wins and a second in eight lifetime starts.