His win in the Santa Anita Derby was impressive. I'm excited for him and his entourage. Good, regular folks who bred a reallly promising colt. Lots of "ifs" surround the Derby and even more so, the Triple Crown. He has as good a chance to win the Derby and any other horse. I like him and I hope he hits the finish wire first. It's exciting to imagine that he could be the horse to finally take the Triple.
Dear Lucy: you are correct, Secretariat was indeed a great horse early in his career. But following his 3rd place finish in The Wood, behind Angle Light and Sham, his ability at a distance was in question, and he was not being compared to the greatest horses ever. Not yet. That won't be the case with California Chrome: his pre-Derby campaign is the best I've seen since Affirmed and Spectacular Bid. Based on his Santa Anita Derby blow out, he'll be the prohibitive favorite and has fans dreaming of another super horse. In Secretariat's Derby, Sham was the favorite of many. I tend to agree that Man O' War may have been the greatest, running with heavy iron shoes on tracks that were not as meticulously groomed as modern tracks, all while carrying weights up to 138 pounds. Secretariat's greatness lies in owning ALL THREE TRIPLE CROWN speed records: in 2012, he was awarded a 1:53 time in the Preakness: it's a matter of taste between those two. I think we have not yet seen the potential in California Chrome: I hope the cavalry charge/cluster fest that the Derby has become does not cost him a victory.
California chrome a southern cali horse is gonna make history!!! And you will see him at the breeder's cup that's for sure.... Let's go California Chrome
I'm been a racing writer and fan all my life: my dad was an assistant trainer. Even Secretariat was not this good this early in his career: going into the Kentucky Derby, very few people saw his potential, until he shattered the Derby record with a 1:59 2/5. This horse has everything: tremendous speed out of the get and down the stretch, incredible endurance, a perfect stride. This was his biggest test, and he blew away an impressive field like they belonged in a cheap claiming race. The jockey actually eased him a bit: this horse, as the trainer says, could run all day. That latter is crucial to winning the ultimate test, the Belmont. What matters now is staying healthy and avoiding trouble in that awful cavalry charge that is the Kentucky Derby. If he can do that, his competition will come from history, not the field: Secretariat, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Citation and Man O' War. He could well be the second coming of Secretariat, he's that good. Racing desperately needs a marquise champion. This is going to be the best Triple Crown since Affirmed and Alydar went head to head in racing's greatest duel.
??? Secretariat was not this good early in his career? He was Horse of the Year at two and syndicated for a record price. He was considered a superstar until his loss in the Wood, which made everyone nervous that he might have distance limitations off Bold Ruler. In the Gotham prior he tied the track record for one mile in 1:33.2 There was no point in his career leading up to the TC that he wasn't a monster. This is a nice colt (and I am not a Secretariat loyalist....I think Man O'War still holds the title for best ever), but Secretariat was a very scary horse from the infancy of his career.
I like the bloodlines. Secretariat, Northern Dancer, Danzig, Seattle Slew, A.P. Indy, Buckpasser, Mr. Prospector, etc. There another really good looking horse that won the Wood Memorial on Saturday. Watch out for WICKED FAST. He is another contender. As for Secretariat, his 3rd place finish in the Wood Memorial was due to an abcess in his mouth, which wasn't found until AFTER the race. Whoever says Secretariat was not considered a great horse prior to the Triple Crown races, doesn't know what he/she is talking about. One look at Secretariat's bloodlines, and the speed AND distance was there.
Are we seeing the ghost of another stocking legged chestnut wonder from yesteryear. Did anyone notice his stumble as he left the gate?..the 22 and change first quarter?..the exhilaration at the quarter pole? His last four races he wins by a combined 24 lengths... In my experience horses with this much talent are often times too fast for their own good. It will be miracle if Art Sherman can get this horse through the grueling triple crown series unscathed..
This horse could prove better than even Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Man O' War... Runs very fast times with incredible "late run"!!! He seems like he is just getting started when he hits the 1/8 pole, then he eases at 70yards to the finish because he is so far ahead of the rest!!! California Chrome? Triple Crown? "HIGHLY PROBABLE"..........
vambo13257 my favorite horse since easy goer. Of course easy goer only won the belmont despite being the better horse by far than sunday silence. California Chrome will do it though. I know greatness.
vambo13257 He is an amazing colt who keeps improving with each race.....He looks absolutely in great condition...but triple crown is a marathon for any horse ....not many can finish all 3 on top.....he does run and have the stride that Secretariat had....I just hope this doesn't break this great colt down....his speed index is unbelievable right now.....will hope for the best I guess :)
Congrats to all the horse geniuses who said California Chrome would not win. Barring a bad day or a rough trip in the cavalry charge the Derby is with 19 entries, there's not a 3-year old who can stay with him. He has very good speed - could have gone to the front any time - but can run all day. Is he a super horse, compared to Man o War and Secretariat? No. His winning time was 2:03.5 - 4 1/2 seconds slower than Secretariat. It was a slow track he was eased the last 70 yards, but that's still very slow. His biggest challenge could be the Preakness - tight turns, 1/16th shorter. If a speed horse can get a lead and hold off the charge, he might, might have a chance. In the Belmont, Chrome has the stamina to win in a walk. His time there will tell us how he measures up - though we'll never see a Belmont like Secretariat racing the wind.
does anyone know when the 2014 triple crown is going to be? by the way I think i just found a horse to look up to. i used to find Secretariat and MOW amazing but i think it is time for a new hero to come and i do hope it is California Chrome :)
Folks: don't get carried away. This is a wonderful horse, but he's a long way short of Man O War or Secretariat. Secretariat owns ALL THREE TRIPLE CROWN records - Derby - 1:59 2/5, Preakness - 1:53, and the Belmont in 2:24. The Derby was the fasted 1 1/4 mile ever run anywhere, and no horse anywhere has come within one second of that 2:24 for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont. California Chrome is good for the sport, but unless he wins the Belmont by 25 lengths or more, he won't be compared to Secretariat or Man O War.
chrome is a nice horse. haven't been tested on the front end yet & loves speed favoring sa track. let's see how he handles a mile & a quarter on a track with some cushion.. NOT the derby winner !!!
This horse, like BIG BROWN, before, is winning to mediocre horses. The key for a champion is always breaking or matching record times during the key races. Check a little of history if your are in doubt. Nothing especial from California Chrome yet. Social Inclusion did a better job on that regard; but people likes to dream.
Well, he may not have matched or broken records yet, but so far his time for 1 1/8 on dirt is 2 seconds or better than all of the other contenders for the KD and he breezed for the last 70 yards in the SAD to get that time. My concern is the huge field and his post position for the KD. They'll be gunning for him.
vambo13257 CC will win many more races. After I did my notes, is easy to see that this generation of 3 year old horses is more mediocre than the one that confronted Big Brown. So that is a good new for many and there is a chance for a social Triple Crown by default. Hopefully Untapable is around to make us believe for the good times and good ones.
I love this horse.. only one horse makes me cry at how amazing he was and that was Secretariat, now is two, California Chrome.
His win in the Santa Anita Derby was impressive. I'm excited for him and his entourage. Good, regular folks who bred a reallly promising colt. Lots of "ifs" surround the Derby and even more so, the Triple Crown. He has as good a chance to win the Derby and any other horse. I like him and I hope he hits the finish wire first. It's exciting to imagine that he could be the horse to finally take the Triple.
Dear Lucy: you are correct, Secretariat was indeed a great horse early in his career. But following his 3rd place finish in The Wood, behind Angle Light and Sham, his ability at a distance was in question, and he was not being compared to the greatest horses ever. Not yet. That won't be the case with California Chrome: his pre-Derby campaign is the best I've seen since Affirmed and Spectacular Bid. Based on his Santa Anita Derby blow out, he'll be the prohibitive favorite and has fans dreaming of another super horse. In Secretariat's Derby, Sham was the favorite of many. I tend to agree that Man O' War may have been the greatest, running with heavy iron shoes on tracks that were not as meticulously groomed as modern tracks, all while carrying weights up to 138 pounds. Secretariat's greatness lies in owning ALL THREE TRIPLE CROWN speed records: in 2012, he was awarded a 1:53 time in the Preakness: it's a matter of taste between those two. I think we have not yet seen the potential in California Chrome: I hope the cavalry charge/cluster fest that the Derby has become does not cost him a victory.
I will be following this boy for sure!
California chrome a southern cali horse is gonna make history!!! And you will see him at the breeder's cup that's for sure.... Let's go California Chrome
CC IS AWESOME!
great win.. the pull away in the stretch was awesome
I'm been a racing writer and fan all my life: my dad was an assistant trainer. Even Secretariat was not this good this early in his career: going into the Kentucky Derby, very few people saw his potential, until he shattered the Derby record with a 1:59 2/5. This horse has everything: tremendous speed out of the get and down the stretch, incredible endurance, a perfect stride. This was his biggest test, and he blew away an impressive field like they belonged in a cheap claiming race. The jockey actually eased him a bit: this horse, as the trainer says, could run all day. That latter is crucial to winning the ultimate test, the Belmont. What matters now is staying healthy and avoiding trouble in that awful cavalry charge that is the Kentucky Derby. If he can do that, his competition will come from history, not the field: Secretariat, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Citation and Man O' War. He could well be the second coming of Secretariat, he's that good. Racing desperately needs a marquise champion. This is going to be the best Triple Crown since Affirmed and Alydar went head to head in racing's greatest duel.
??? Secretariat was not this good early in his career? He was Horse of the Year at two and syndicated for a record price. He was considered a superstar until his loss in the Wood, which made everyone nervous that he might have distance limitations off Bold Ruler. In the Gotham prior he tied the track record for one mile in 1:33.2 There was no point in his career leading up to the TC that he wasn't a monster. This is a nice colt (and I am not a Secretariat loyalist....I think Man O'War still holds the title for best ever), but Secretariat was a very scary horse from the infancy of his career.
You don't know Secretariat's history very well. He did things as a 2 y/o that had never been seen before.
yet he will lose
vambo13257 You say what????? Lmao!!!! Who won the 2014 derby ??? CALIFORNIA CHROME YOU SAY!!!
Sandra Seitz Congrats, maybe he is a super horse, we will know in a few weeks.
I like the bloodlines. Secretariat, Northern Dancer, Danzig, Seattle Slew, A.P. Indy, Buckpasser, Mr. Prospector, etc.
There another really good looking horse that won the Wood Memorial on Saturday.
Watch out for WICKED FAST. He is another contender.
As for Secretariat, his 3rd place finish in the Wood Memorial was due to an abcess in his mouth, which wasn't found until AFTER the race.
Whoever says Secretariat was not considered a great horse prior to the Triple Crown races, doesn't know what he/she is talking about.
One look at Secretariat's bloodlines, and the speed AND distance was there.
Santa Anita Handicap 2015? I hope so! Impressive win nonetheless in the SA Derby. Good luck big boy in the Belmont.
Monster Horse !!!! Triple Crown within reach.
Steering Job, amazing
Are we seeing the ghost of another stocking legged chestnut wonder from yesteryear. Did anyone notice his stumble as he left the gate?..the 22 and change first quarter?..the exhilaration at the quarter pole? His last four races he wins by a combined 24 lengths... In my experience horses with this much talent are often times too fast for their own good. It will be miracle if Art Sherman can get this horse through the grueling triple crown series unscathed..
This horse could prove better than even Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Man O' War... Runs very fast times with incredible "late run"!!! He seems like he is just getting started when he hits the 1/8 pole, then he eases at 70yards to the finish because he is so far ahead of the rest!!! California Chrome? Triple Crown? "HIGHLY PROBABLE"..........
love this horse. Predicted weeks ago he would win the triple crown.
will not happen, will not even win the Derby
vambo13257 my favorite horse since easy goer. Of course easy goer only won the belmont despite being the better horse by far than sunday silence. California Chrome will do it though. I know greatness.
vambo13257 He is an amazing colt who keeps improving with each race.....He looks absolutely in great condition...but triple crown is a marathon for any horse ....not many can finish all 3 on top.....he does run and have the stride that Secretariat had....I just hope this doesn't break this great colt down....his speed index is unbelievable right now.....will hope for the best I guess :)
Congrats to all the horse geniuses who said California Chrome would not win. Barring a bad day or a rough trip in the cavalry charge the Derby is with 19 entries, there's not a 3-year old who can stay with him. He has very good speed - could have gone to the front any time - but can run all day. Is he a super horse, compared to Man o War and Secretariat? No. His winning time was 2:03.5 - 4 1/2 seconds slower than Secretariat. It was a slow track he was eased the last 70 yards, but that's still very slow. His biggest challenge could be the Preakness - tight turns, 1/16th shorter. If a speed horse can get a lead and hold off the charge, he might, might have a chance. In the Belmont, Chrome has the stamina to win in a walk. His time there will tell us how he measures up - though we'll never see a Belmont like Secretariat racing the wind.
beautiful!
One of the beautiful I ever seen and a winner, and im from NY.
does anyone know when the 2014 triple crown is going to be? by the way I think i just found a horse to look up to. i used to find Secretariat and MOW amazing but i think it is time for a new hero to come and i do hope it is California Chrome :)
Folks: don't get carried away. This is a wonderful horse, but he's a long way short of Man O War or Secretariat. Secretariat owns ALL THREE TRIPLE CROWN records - Derby - 1:59 2/5, Preakness - 1:53, and the Belmont in 2:24. The Derby was the fasted 1 1/4 mile ever run anywhere, and no horse anywhere has come within one second of that 2:24 for the 1 1/2 mile Belmont. California Chrome is good for the sport, but unless he wins the Belmont by 25 lengths or more, he won't be compared to Secretariat or Man O War.
My mistake. The horse who won the Wood is WICKED STRONG.
Great horse ...but ran horribly in the Derby
He won so easily because the other top California based KY Derby prospects are injured. (Bond Holder ,Bayern and Shared Belief)
You might want to compare speed indexes before speaking
chrome is a nice horse. haven't been tested on the front end yet & loves speed favoring sa track. let's see how he handles a mile & a quarter on a track with some cushion.. NOT the derby winner !!!
He's a freak. Never had to be touched.
you will see, "freaks" lose all the time
CC will go to
to?
mark.Chapman
Don't get too excited... there are many other good 3 yr.olds out there ...hold on to your wallet for now
This horse, like BIG BROWN, before, is winning to mediocre horses. The key for a champion is always breaking or matching record times during the key races. Check a little of history if your are in doubt. Nothing especial from California Chrome yet. Social Inclusion did a better job on that regard; but people likes to dream.
Well, he may not have matched or broken records yet, but so far his time for 1 1/8 on dirt is 2 seconds or better than all of the other contenders for the KD and he breezed for the last 70 yards in the SAD to get that time. My concern is the huge field and his post position for the KD. They'll be gunning for him.
kwgrid Wrong- Chitu ran 1:47.4 and CC ran 1:47.2
vambo13257 CC will win many more races. After I did my notes, is easy to see that this generation of 3 year old horses is more mediocre than the one that confronted Big Brown. So that is a good new for many and there is a chance for a social Triple Crown by default. Hopefully Untapable is around to make us believe for the good times and good ones.
Antonio Moya pb