California Chrome, with Victor Espinoza up (AP Photo)
California Chrome won the 2014 Preakness Stakes on Saturday, the second jewel in thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.
MORE: Images from Preakness Stakes | Linemakers | Hats of Pimlico
Saturday marked the 34th time a horse has won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Now Chrome's mission is to win the Belmont Stakes, which will be run in three weeks in New York.
'This was a crazy race,' jockey Victor Espinoza said. 'I got more tired mentally than physically. I had to use my brains too much, but it worked out perfectly. The outside horse (Social Inclusion) moved too early.'
Ride On Curlin, which also ran in the Kentucky Derby, was second. Social Inclusion, which didn't, was third. There were 10 horses in the field, but only three that ran in the Derby.
California Chrome paid $3 to win and place and $2.40 to show. Ride On Curlin returned $5.60 and $3.80. Social Inclusion, who went off as the second favorite at 5-1, returned $3.40.
General a Rod was fourth and Ring Weekend took fifth.
No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Twelve horses since then have won the Derby and Preakness; none conquered the grueling mile-and-a-half Belmont.
Chrome's final challenge will be June 7 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
California Chrome finished the 1 3/16-mile Preakness in 1 minute, 54 4/5 seconds, the fastest time since Curlin won in 2007.
Trainer Art Sherman was pleased with his horse's five days at the Baltimore track. 'Everything has gone perfect,' he told the Daily Racing Form .
Sherman admitted he was concerned about this race, coming just two weeks after the Derby. But he credited man and beast for a terrific run.
'Victor rode him perfect,' Sherman said. 'It's a dream for any trainer to do this, believe me. I couldn't tell how much horse he really had. Everybody was cheering and jumping up and down. But I looked up at the board and saw him pulling away, so I felt really good.'
It was the first Preakness victory for the 77-year-old trainer. California Chrome has won six consecutive races. The chestnut colt is the first California-bred horse to win the Preakness since Snow Chief in 1986.
California Chrome entered the gate as the 3-5 favorite at Pimlico, seemingly ready to win the shortest of the three Triple Crown races. In Baltimore's evening sunlight his coat was radiant.
Social Inclusion was the only other horse in the field to go off at odds of less than 10-1.
An easy morning lap of the course was part of a routine plan for California Chrome.
'You train a horse every day, and they're creatures of habit. If you just walk them, they can get tense. They'll feel so much better the rest of the day if they get out. Now they can relax,' Sherman said.
Pablo Del Monte led most of the race, with Ria Antonia second. But California Chrome took command at the top of the far turn and pulled away down the home stretch.
Horses that have won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness: 2014 - California Chrome 2012 - y-I'll Have Another 2008 - Big Brown 2004 - Smarty Jones 2003 - Funny Cide 2002 - War Emblem 1999 - Charismatic 1998 - Real Quiet 1997 - Silver Charm 1989 - Sunday Silence 1987 - Alysheba 1981 - Pleasant Colony 1979 - Spectacular Bid 1978 - x-Affirmed 1977 - x-Seattle Slew 1973 - x-Secretariat 1971 - Canonero II 1969 - Majestic Prince 1968 - Forward Pass 1966 - Kauai King 1964 - Northern Dancer 1961 - Carry Back 1958 - Tim Tam 1948 - x-Citation 1946 - x-Assault 1944 - Pensive 1943 - x-Count Fleet 1941 - x-Whirlaway 1937 - x-War Admiral 1936 - y-Bold Venture 1935 - x-Omaha 1932 - y-Burgoo King 1930 - x-Gallant Fox 1919 - x-Sir Bartonx-won Triple Crown y-did not run in Belmont Stakes
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