From DMTC
DEL MAR, Calif. (July 22, 2016) — In a memorable renewal of the Grade II $200,000 San Diego Handicap, California-bred fan favorite California Chrome outfinished a stubborn Dortmund after a prolonged duel to score a half-length victory Saturday in the mile and one-sixteenth prep for the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on August 20.
Dortmund, piloted by Gary Stevens, went to the front shortly after the break, but was hounded by California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza, who never allowed their rival to take a breather. California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year and the all-time richest horse in North American racing history with earnings of more than $12.5 million, engaged Dortmund on the far turn, took a narrow lead entering the stretch and never relented while holding Dortmund safe under intermittent urging by Espinoza.
“I saved something for the end. I knew I’d have to,” said Espinoza. “I have a lot of respect for Dortmund and he made me run hard. I could see he (Dortmund) was running so hard. When we came down the stretch, I was concerned. This horse was carrying a lot of weight; that was the challenge. But he was a runner all the way today. What a terrific comeback race for him. He’s back. He’s such a special horse. This was exciting; an exciting race. He showed everyone today just how special he is. Now maybe he and Dortmund and Beholder (in the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic on August 20). That will really be exciting.”
California Chrome, the California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit owned by California Chrome LLC and trained by Art Sherman, was making his first start since winning the world’s most lucrative race, the $10 million World Cup in Dubai March 26.
““They both ran terrific,” said Sherman. “I tell you, Dortmund made him work for it. It’s going to be an interesting few races coming up. I told Victor the track has been playing to speed all day long and you can’t let a horse like Dortmund get away. So press him as much as you can He (Dortmund) is a really game horse. I think both horses needed a race and you’ll see two stronger horses coming back in the Pacific Classic. (Chrome) is that kind of horse, he loves to grind it out and he shows a lot of determination. What can I say — he’s just Chrome, a wonderful horse to be around. (Were you worried?) “I’m always worried. I’ve never seen one race where I wasn’t worried.”
California Chrome, packing highweight of 126 pounds, went postward at 4-5, while Dortmund, packing 121 pounds, was 13-10 in his first race since winning the Native Diver last November at Del Mar.
Win the Space was third, seven and one-quarter lengths behind Dortmund and nine and one-half lengths ahead of fourth-place Follow Me Crev in the field of five horses. Withdrawn from the original line-up were Hard Aces and Soi Phet.
California Chrome ran the distance in 1:40.84 and returned $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Dortmund paid $2.40 and $2.10, while Win the Space returned $2.10 to show. Because of heavy wagering on the winner to show, there was a minus pool of $86,339.
The victory was California Chrome’s 13th in 22 lifetime starts and first money of $120,000 increased the five-year-old’s earnings to $12,652,650
Attendance Saturday was 21,336.