By Bloodhorse.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2016) — Victor Espinoza, regular rider of 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome , said the 5-year-old California-bred has never been doing better as he prepares for a start in the Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
Espinoza says California Chrome is better than ever, but walked the tightrope when asked whether his “Slipped Saddle Saga” in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 26 or his spectacular, front-running, five-length triumph in the Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 20 was his best race.
“He ran insane in Dubai,” the gregarious and ever-accommodating Espinoza said by phone from New York where he was visiting family. “Going a mile and a quarter on a track a world away with the saddle slipping and running the way he did was amazing.
“The saddle slipped all the way to his hind end. The girth was fully up on his hips. It was tough for me to handle, but we got it done (winning comfortably by nearly four lengths).
“I don’t know whether the Dubai race or the Pacific Classic was his best, but I’m confident of one thing: He’s doing his best right now.
“I watched a video of his workout last Saturday and he looked great. He’s absolutely better than he’s ever been. I’ve never seen him doing as well as he’s doing now, except perhaps in his 3-year-old season when he was on his way to the Kentucky Derby (Presented by Yum! Brands [gr. I]).”