Handicapping thoughts and picks from Paulie
She's a Handicapper now..and I'm saying "Champagne, Anyone?"
Monday, April 28, 2014
Will "The Chrome" shine brightly on Derby Day?
DERBY FAVORITE FLIES OUT TODAY
There is a reason that California Chrome is the favorite for the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby. Look at the running line for the three year old:
Four wins in a row out on the West Coast. Undefeated since Christmas. Victor Espinoza on board. There is a lot to like there. He crushes fields and does it seemingly easy.
There are reasons to question him also. He's a California horse and has never run at Churchill.
Kentucky Derby favorite California Chrome had his last timed workout before the May 3 classic, going an easy half-mile in 48 1/5 seconds at Los Alamitos (Calif.) under jockey Victor Espinoza. That was the fifth-fastest of 12 works at the distance Saturday, and the Santa Anita Derby winner was clocked galloping out five-eighths of a mile in 1:01.
"Very good. Exactly what I needed for the horse," trainer Art Sherman said. "He doesn't need much now. He's ready. I just wanted to put some air into him. He's happy and fresh. That's the way I want to keep him for this race.
"Victor told me he couldn't believe how easy the horse went. He just said he felt so good. Victor wrapped up on him and didn't let him do too much. He knows this horse so well."
The work attracted a large crowd at the Orange County track, which previously has been best known for its Quarter Horse racing but will conduct major Thoroughbred racing this year.
California Chrome will fly to Louisville Monday. Sherman said he expects to have the California-bred colt jog on Tuesday and then begin two-mile gallops Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
Meanwhile, Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass winner Dance With Fate worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on dirt at Santa Anita, the second-fastest of 62 works at the distance Saturday.
Trainer Peter Eurton had planned to work on grass, but turf training was canceled because of some rain. Dance With Fate is on the same flight as California Chrome.
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