PRIVMAN: Cal Chrome a 'go' in Hollywood Derby

[10 pnt move up]

Originally Posted by Kasept

It's Official: California Chrome's A Go.. In Saturday's Hollywood Derby

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome was entered Wednesday morning for Saturday’s Grade I $300,000 Hollywood Derby and will face five rivals in the 1 1/8-mile run over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

California Chrome would become the seventh Kentucky Derby champion to race at Del Mar after winning the Run For The Roses. Gato Del Sol (1982 Kentucky Derby winner), Ferdinand (1986), Unbridled (1990), Silver Charm (1997), War Emblem (2002) and Giacomo (2005) all subsequently raced at Del Mar.

It will be the first race on turf for California Chrome, a son of Lucky Pulpit owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn.

Trainer Art Sherman nominated California Chrome for both the Native Diver Handicap, 1 1/8-miles on Polytrack, and the Hollywood Derby, two of three graded stakes on Saturday, the penultimate day of the Bing Crosby Season. California rules stipulate that only one race could be entered, and when the time came Wednesday morning, Sherman did not waiver from a previously stated preference for the Hollywood Derby.

“I want to run him on the grass,” Sherman said. “It will give me a lot of options when he runs next year as a 4-year-old. And he’s got a chance at Horse of the Year (for 2014).”

California Chrome worked a half-mile on the turf course on Sunday. An open gallop through the stretch on the grass is planned for Thursday morning.

The Hollywood Derby field, in alphabetical order, is: Cabral (Kent Desormeaux), California Chrome (Victor Espinoza), Flamboyant (Mike Smith), Lexie Lou (Corey Nakatani), Sawyer’s Hill (Rafael Bejarano) and Talco (Drayden Van Dyke).

Post positions for the race were to be drawn at the close of entries later Wednesday.

man that field is weak, usually this race attracts some tough shippers.

[letswastemoney]

It will be an easy "G1" victory for Chrome then against that field.

[cakes44]

Are they gonna keep the horse wide to avoid trouble at all costs on the turf also?Not a fan of that kind of trip, but this field isn't the toughest either.

[Arletta]

If he does beat this weak field.. Will it be enough to clinch HOY or even 3 yr of the year?

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by Arletta

If he does beat this weak field.. Will it be enough to clinch HOY or even 3 yr of the year?

If Trevor says "They'd need to sprout wings…" then yes.

I'll be there in person to see it happen


from TRD clocker

California Chrome 11/23 DMR/FM 4F 52.0b
Appeared very comfortable over the local lawn despite many people
sharing their two-cents on how slow the drill was. The work was a
perfect introduction to grass & this colt will love the change in footing.
13 4/5, 26 3/5. Final ¼ in 25 2/5 while under a strangle hold. Just
finished watching him galloping on Thanksgiving morning @ 7:00 AM
on the grass & my opinion stays the same. The 2 time classic winner
may be better on the grass.

[Smarty Cide]

Does a win today from California Chrome seal up horse of the year for him?

[Jasper131]

No chance.

[letswastemoney]

Some voters count up G1s as the same no matter if they're 2 year olds, females, weak fields etc.

It doesn't make it right, but I think if Chrome wins it helps his chances.

[Arletta]

Easy winner

[herkhorse]

Denman should be gagged

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Arletta

If he does beat this weak field.. Will it be enough to clinch HOY or even 3 yr of the year?

Why would him winning today matter at all for HOY? Bayern has destroyed him 2x now. If he wanted a prayer for HOY he should have shipped for the Cigar Mile or Clark.

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by herkhorse

Denman should be gagged

I missed the race and just saw the end of the replay..

[Smarty Cide]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Why would him winning today matter at all for HOY? Bayern has destroyed him 2x now. If he wanted a prayer for HOY he should have shipped for the Cigar Mile or Clark.

He's going to win it.

[geeker2]

What I can say as a fan, it was fantastic to be there in person. The crowd went wild !

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by geeker2

What I can say as a fan, it was fantastic to be there in person. The crowd went wild !

Love that

[Arletta]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

Why would him winning today matter at all for HOY? Bayern has destroyed him 2x now. If he wanted a prayer for HOY he should have shipped for the Cigar Mile or Clark.

I guess we will all just have to wait and see how the voting goes. Personally I don't really give a crap one way or the other who wins.

[Indian Charlie]

Destroyed?

[geeker2]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

Destroyed?

Baffert love trumps all.......

[LITF]

I think he has to win the the three year old title, regardless of what happened today.

He had the best "three year old" campaign without argument, this season. He won the He lost to Bayern in the PA Derby that was meant as nothing more than a prep for the BC Classic. He lost to Bayern in the Classic by a small margin, with an asterisk. This race should have nothing to do with the outcome of any eclipse voting. Same as if Bayern or Shared Belief run and win the Malibu. Today was an exhibition. I think Chrome was the best three year old from start to finish.

As for Horse of the Year. You can't give it to a four race campaigned grass horse. So, I think he has a shot but I would give horse of the year to Bayer. I know that seems hypocritical but that's how I would vote. Chrome won the three year old races so why not award him for that. Bayern won the big boy race (regardless of the rough running of the race, he won) so why not give him the prize for winning that race. I think that is just.

Hopefully they all meet stay healthy and meet again in next years classic.

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by LITF

I think he has to win the the three year old title, regardless of what happened today.

He had the best "three year old" campaign without argument, this season. He won the He lost to Bayern in the PA Derby that was meant as nothing more than a prep for the BC Classic. He lost to Bayern in the Classic by a small margin, with an asterisk. This race should have nothing to do with the outcome of any eclipse voting. Same as if Bayern or Shared Belief run and win the Malibu. Today was an exhibition. I think Chrome was the best three year old from start to finish.

It was only "without argument" if you're a Chromie. He really stood to benefit with another G1. He has 2 losses in the last 5 months (close only works if it's not to a horse also gunning for the same Eclipse who didn't also thump you in the last meeting). I'd hardly call his the clear best 3yo campaign on the year prior to today--it and HOY were a hot mess. He spent much of the latter half of the year not racing and both times lost to Bayern. The Hollywood Derby should absolutely be considered in the voting. It's a G1 race, and as Lukas is proving with Take Charge Brandi, the year ain't done with the Breeders' Cup. It helps Chrome's case to be a dual winner with a latter year G1 win. Dual winners usually beat 3yo BC Classic winners, but not always. A little punctuation mark is in his favor. Not sure why you'd act like it's so obvious before. It wasn't. I absolutely heard debate. I figured he'd come out ahead based on history, but who knows.