California Chrome swept to victory in the 140th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, powering away in the closing stretch to win the first leg of US flat racing’s Triple Crown.
Jockey Victor Espinoza took the pre-race favorite past Uncle Sigh and Chitu at the top of the stretch and easily held off the rest of the 19-horse field for his fifth consecutive victory.
It was Espinoza’s second victory in the $2 million, 1 1/4-mile Run for the Roses. He piloted War Emblem to the win in 2002.
It also made 77-year-old Art Sherman the oldest trainer to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner — surpassing Charlie Whittingham, who conditioned a winner at the age of 76.
“I thought he rode him perfect,” Sherman said of Espinoza — who had been aboard California Chrome for his four impressive victories leading into the Derby.
“I never gave him any instructions,” Sherman said. “I said ‘You know this horse, go for it.'”
Espinoza said he wasn’t sure why he and California Chrome have become such a formidable pair.
“I don’t mess with him too much,” Espinoza said. “He knows his job.”
Made the early 5-2 favorite at Wednesday’s draw, California Chrome went off at 2-1 and he justified his favorite’s status as he pulled away toward the line at Churchill Downs, opening a gap of several lengths.
He finished comfortably as Dallas Stewart-trained longshot Commanding Curve roared through under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan to seize second, 1 3/4 lengths behind.
Danza, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Joe Bravo, was third and second choice Wicked Strong was fourth.
For Sherman, it was a triumphant return to the Kentucky Derby 59 years after he accompanied legendary 1955 winner Swaps to the race as a teenaged stable hand.
Sherman, who went on to a riding career before taking up training, hadn’t been connected to a Kentucky Derby runner since.
“I tell you, he gave me the biggest thrill I ever had in my life,” Sherman said.
“When I went over to Swaps’ grave the other day, I said a little prayer, and it came true,” he added.
California Chrome’s owner, Steve Coburn, immediately said the chestnut colt with the splashy white markings would be pointed at the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
“We’ll see you all in Maryland — and then we’ll see you all in New York,” he said.
The second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness, will be held at Pimlico in a fortnight. The series concludes with the 1 1/2-mile Belmont in New York on June 7.
The last horse to achieve the coveted treble was Affirmed in 1978.
Coburn and co-owner Perry Martin weren’t exactly making predictions, but they believe the colt they bred from an $8,000 mare — spending another $2,000 to pair her with an undistinguished stallion — is something special.
“We knew we had something special the first time we saw this baby on the ground,” Coburn said. “I knew it, he knew it, and I hope the whole world knows it now.