JC / Railbird

Racing Archive

He Likes It

After the Kentucky Derby winner jogged on Tuesday:

[Exercise rider Willie] Delgado said California Chrome seemed to prefer the dirt at Pimlico to that at Churchill Downs. “Churchill wasn’t one of his favorite tracks,” he said. “He just tolerated it.”

California Chrome wasn’t drawing raves for the way he went over Churchill’s surface before the Derby — “not the prettiest mover,” observed Mike Welsch, “Jay Privman said he’s certainly looked better back west” — so it’s interesting to see him praised for how he’s handling Pimlico.

Apparently, he’s also feeling fresh (PDF):

California Chrome … didn’t seem to appreciate being shut down for the day after passing a “Sunrise at Old Hilltop” group near the wire after jogging an easy mile. “Settle down … settle down … settle down,” Delgado calmly asked of his charge as he began applying the brakes.

And holding his weight: Trainer Art Sherman estimates that California Chrome “has put on about 35 pounds since winning the Derby,” tweets Claire Novak.

It’s all looking good for Saturday …

5/15/14 Addendum: What’s this? Chrome coughs; his people say he’s fine.

Posted in Racing on May 14, 2014 / Tagged California Chrome, Favorites, Pimlico, Preakness Stakes, Triple Crown

Spot Players

Indulto on how his racing buddies bet now:

The difference is that my friends play five to 10 days a year compared to my 50 to 100. These days they’re into the entertainment and social aspect of the game with perhaps a slim possibility of making a score, even more than in staying in the black.

… they only participate when the best face the best.

They have expressed no interest in the majority of races they perceive to be less reliable; the contestants too frequently over-medicated to the detriment of horse, rider or bettor.

Sounds familiar to me, because it’s the way my own wagering shifted before I stopped betting entirely last December (for reasons that had to do with all the issues that might be lumped together as animal welfare).

Posted in Racing on May 12, 2014 / Tagged Betting, Horseplayers

Fresh

Trainer Art Sherman on California Chrome’s likely Preakness competition:

“You know, they’ve all gotten beat,” he said. “People are gonna have to realize [California Chrome] is coming off five victories straight and a lot of [these other] horses are still eligible for conditions. There are no bona fide stakes horses in there.

“If you’ve been in the game as long as I have, you’ve got to prove yourself. You’re not going to get away with an easy-go just because you’re fresh coming into this race. [Chrome] is a seasoned, veteran horse right now coming into these races and I think that’s going to be a big help for him.”

The Kentucky Derby winner and nine others are possible for next Saturday.

Posted in Racing on May 11, 2014 / Tagged Art Sherman, Bayern, California Chrome, Preakness Stakes, Social Inclusion, Triple Crown