Truly a great story for racing, and yet more proof you dont need millions to win on racings biggest events... LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A horse with a humble pedigree. A couple of working stiff owners. A 77-year-old trainer with his first Kentucky Derby horse. More from ESPN California Chrome and his connections have a story that fans of all kinds can get behind, writes Bill Finley. Story California Chrome has silks with a jackass on jockey Victor Espinozas back and thats what his beaten rivals have seen at the finish in his last five races, Bob Ehalt writes. Story Cronley: Kentucky Derby winner has value West: The meek inherit Derby glory Even Hollywood couldnt have made this up. California Chrome made it look easy on Saturday, pulling away down the stretch to win the Derby by 1 3/4 lengths. In a sport dominated by wealthy owners and regally bred horses from Kentuckys bluegrass country, this was a victory for the little guys. Owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn bred an $8,000 mare to a $2,500 stallion to produce the winner of the worlds most famous race with their one-horse stable. This is just a dream come true and a great birthday present, said Coburn, who turned 61 on Saturday. California Chrome ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.66 and paid $7, $5.60 and $4.20. The chestnut colt was sent off as the 5-2 favorite by the crowd of 164,906, the second largest in the Derbys 140-year history. His trainer, Art Sherman, became the oldest trainer to win the Derby, 59 years after he traveled from California as an exercise rider for Derby winner Swaps. He watched that race from the barn area; this time he smelled red roses in the winners circle. [+] EnlargeCalifornia Chrome AP Photo/Morry Gash California Chrome, ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, pulled away to win the 140th Kentucky Derby. Sherman was all smiles after the race. He gave me the biggest thrill I ever had in my life, he said. California Chrome has the unlikeliest pedigree for a Derby champion. His mother, named Love the Chase, won just one race. She was purchased by Coburn and Martin, a move that prompted a trainer to call them dumb asses for getting involved in racing. Feeling inspired, they named their operation DAP Racing, which stands for Dumb Ass Partners. Their silks include an image of a donkey. Coburn lives near Reno, Nevada, rising at 4:30 a.m. for his job as a press operator at a 13-employee company that makes magnetic strips for credit cards and driver licenses. Martin lives on the California side of the border near Reno, running a laboratory that tests high-reliability equipment, like car air bags and medical equipment. Coburn and Martins partnership is based on a handshake, and their wives are friends who enjoy the sport, too. The group came up with California Chromes name by drawing it out of a hat. The horse hadnt even been out of his home state until this week. Sometimes you dont get a lot of respect, Sherman said. Were in Kentucky and you know most of the Derby winners are bred here and few outside of Kentucky. Lucky No. 5 With California Chrome winning from the 5th post position, that position now holds the most victories in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Most Derby Victories By Post Position PP Wins Last Time 5 13 2014 (California Chrome) 1 12 1986 (Ferdinand) 4 11 2010 (Super Saver) 8 10 2009 (Mine That Bird) 10 10 2005 (Giacomo) 2 9 1978 (Affirmed) --ESPN Stats & Information Sherman visited Swaps grave near the Derby museum earlier in the week and whispered a prayer: I hope hes another Swaps. He sure was. California Chrome extended his winning streak to five races, won by a combined 26 lengths. It was the second Derby win for Espinoza, who rode War Emblem to victory in 2002. I thought he rode him perfect, said Sherman, a former jockey. I was riding the last 70 yards with Victor, so I think he was riding two. He had a lot of weight on him, I can tell you that. Espinoza had California Chrome sitting comfortably in third in the 19-horse field as Uncle Sigh and Chitu set the early pace. California Chrome made his move on the final turn in tandem with Samraat. It looked like those two would decide the outcome, until California Chrome sped away to become the first California-bred to win the Derby since Decidedly in 1962. This horse has so much talent, Espinoza said. By the three-eighths pole I knew that was it. I could see other horses struggling a little bit, and he was just smooth. Dale Romans, who trained eighth-place Medal Count, quickly changed his tune about California Chrome after believing the colt had no chance to win. Im very impressed the way he came into it, the way he looked, the way he was prepared and the way he ran, Romans said. Now he has a new fan. 140th Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby Jockey Victor Espinoza guided favorite California Chrome to victory in the 140th Kentucky Derby. Finish Win Place Show California Chrome $7.00 $5.60 $4.20 Commanding Curve --- $31.80 $15.40 Danza --- --- $6.00 Commanding Curve, a 37-1 shot, rallied for second, with Danza third. Wicked Strong was fourth and Samraat finished fifth. Commanding Curve returned $31.80 and $15.40, giving trainer Dallas Stewart his second straight runner-up finish with a double-digit longshot. Danza, named for actor Tony Danza of Whos the Boss? fame, paid $6 to show as the 8-1 third choice. Trainer Todd Pletcher came up empty with his four starters, finishing third with Danza, 10th with We Miss Artie, 12th with Intense Holiday, and 17th with Vinceremos. Wicked Strong, the 6-1 second choice, was fourth. Samraat was fifth, followed by Dance With Fate, Ride On Curlin, Medal Count, Chitu, We Miss Artie, General a Rod, Intense Holiday, Candy Boy, Uncle Sigh, Tapiture, Harrys Holiday, Vinceremos, and Wildcat Red. Vicars In Trouble, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, finished last. Before the Derby, Coburn had told anyone who would listen that California Chrome would go down in history. He remains just as unabashed. I believe this horse will win the Triple Crown, he said, something that hasnt been done since 1978, when Affirmed swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont in a five-week span. Thats where were going. Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 13:33:10 +0000
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