California Chrome Defeats Very Game Dortmund in San Diego H.

By: Christopher Ado

Anticipation was in the air as the horses of the $200,000 Gr.2 San Diego Handicap entered the paddock. A crowd of 21,336 gathered at Del Mar on Saturday, July 23, to see 2014 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year California Chrome make his first start since emerging victorious in the $10M Dubai World Cup, and take on Baffert-trained Dortmund – one of the top 3-year-olds of 2015. The result was an elating performance; a showdown that will be talked about for decades to come.

Breaking from post position six, California Chrome left the gate swiftly ahead of rival Dortmund, who then went on to set the early pace. After dictating a leisurely opening quarter in 23.47, the pace began to quicken at the half-mile (47.02) as the son of Lucky Pulpit pressed the leader. The two chestnuts were on each other’s shoulders midway on the far turn with Dortmund dueling to maintain the lead at the three-quarter call (1:10.51). California Chrome poked his nose in front and looked as if he was going to open up, but Dortmund – returning off a long layoff – refused to yield and battled back. The move sent the Del Mar grand stand into a frenzy as the two rallied down to the end. California Chrome emerged victorious by a half-length in 1:40.84 – just 84 milliseconds off the track record of 1:40.00 set by Windy Sands in August of 1962. Settling for second was Dortmund, who finished 7-¼ lengths ahead of third-place finisher Win the Space and jockey Mike Smith.

California Chrome San Diego Handicap
California Chrome and Victor Espinoza on their way to the winners’ circle following the San Diego Handicap.

The winner’s purse of $120,000 increases California Chrome’s earnings to $12.6 million and sets him up perfectly for Del Mar’s premier event of the summer: The $1M Gr.1 Pacific Classic on August 20.

“I saved something for the end,” explained Victor Espinoza, who was smiling from ear-to-ear. “I have a lot of respect for Dortmund and he made me run hard. I was concerned because [California Chrome] was carrying a lot of weight. But he was a runner all the way today. He showed everyone today just how special he is.”

Trainer Art Sherman expressed nothing but gratitude towards his horse after the race. “I told Victor the track has been playing to speed all day long and you can’t let a horse like Dortmund get away,” he said. “Dortmund was really game and made [California Chrome] work for it. They both ran a great race.”

California Chrome
Assistant trainer Alan Sherman congratulates California Chrome on his winning effort.

Gary Stevens, who was seen reaching his arm out to congratulate Espinoza a few strides after the wire, may have had to settle for second, but the Hall of Fame jockey was very content with his mounts effort. “I thought maybe we were going to run out of gas, but he kept digging. He ran that last quarter mile on heart. I looked over and saw Victor was scrubbing (on California Chrome) and I thought maybe I had a chance. [Dortmund] gave it a great try; a terrific comeback race from him. He’s some horse.”

Even Mike Smith, who was aboard Win the Space (third), expressed his excitement. “What a fun race to ride in,” he gushed. “When I could see we had third locked up, I just started watching those two up front. I wanted to see who would win it. Heck of a race.”

With the possibility of 10x G1 winner Beholder looking to defend her Pacific Classic title (she’ll need to win the Gr.1 Clement Hirsch on July 30 beforehand) and Santa Anita Handicap and Gold Cup winner Melatonin waiting in the wings, the Gr. 1 Pacific Classic (Aug. 20) is shaping up as an exciting race that may just give us a preview for the $6 Million Breeders’ Cup Classic on November 5 at Santa Anita Park.

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