Chrome Sweet Chrome

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

robinm — Sat, 31 May 2014 19:03:48 GMT

Incidentally, folks; anyone wondering where Draynay is hiding, he continues to bash California Chrome on Facebook. He doesn't have the guts to show his pen here, but have no fear. He still knows more than the rest of us. Here are a few of his latest words of wisdom. California Chrome only won the Derby and Preakness because he got perfect trips. He's not even the best colt in California; that would be Shared Belief, who is faster. Tonalist is the best 3-year old colt in America.

Dray; if by chance you are still lurking here, there have been times in the past I've been in complete agreement with you. The sheer greatness of Rachel Alexandra comes to mind. But honestly, if you can't yet appreciate what California Chrome has accomplished, you simply don't have the capacity to objectively appreciate a good horse.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Bob Angelo — Tue, 27 May 2014 13:40:00 GMT

Again, Steve Sherman was never Steve Coburn's trainer. Monty Meier was Coburn's trainer of choice. Easy to look up in Equibase.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Soldier Course — Sat, 24 May 2014 22:24:55 GMT

The opossum episode is funny, but maybe there's something more there. Perhaps a message for The Chrome. I've been reading about opossum symbolism and learned that he brings a message of diversion and strategy. Something to think about on June 7th?

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Calichrome — Sat, 24 May 2014 16:20:03 GMT

Thank you Steve Haskins for your insight, self-efacing eloquence and inside information that make the stories of the quest for the Triple Crown poignant and so very appealing to the public. From the owner's mystical confidence in his horse, to the trainers' embrace of a fellow competitor as a long-lost friend, to the horse's bond with his human caretakers and his calm, self-assured, innate desire to be the best, to his groom's and excercise rider's loyal care and training, to 71 year old Eddie Figureroa's possiblity of becoming a millionaire if Chrome wins the Belmont - all reasons for fans and critics alike to value this unique partnership between two very different species. Win or lose -and we are overwhelmingly for that win - we will value this year's quest as if it were for El Dorado itself.

"Where can it be this land of El Dorado?"

"Over the mountains of the moon in the Valley of the Shadow.

Ride, boldly ride!" the Shade replied,

If you search for El Dorado." Edgar Allen Poe

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

robinm — Sat, 24 May 2014 14:19:06 GMT

food fight; I understand your love of Commissioner because I love the AP Indy sons too. But the very things you point out as reasons for his losses in prior races will likely keep him from the win at Belmont too. You blame his losses on having to move prematurely to stay in contention. The Belmont has rarely been kind to true closers; history says a horse needs to be on or very near the lead at the quarter pole and I think several colts will be compromised in this race if they try to stay close enough to Chrome to have a chance to run him down after he makes his move. So both my heart and my money are on Chrome to take it all.

Dr D; You were never negative about Chrome, merely skeptical, and I'm very glad you've become a convert.

Monica V; I believe it's you that asked "where is Draynay?" on another blog. I too have taken notice of his absence since the Derby win. I'm sure there would have been a comment had Chrome not followed up that incredible win with an equally incredible Preakness. Alas, as he was proved wrong, I guess he has nothing further to say. Apparently, admitting he underestimated the talent of this colt is beyond him. Or maybe his heart didn't survive the shock? He's been silent on Facebook too.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Linda in Texas — Fri, 23 May 2014 15:41:24 GMT

Reading Steve's words then the follow ups by all the good people who post here is just entirely the greatest way to start a day or end one for that matter. Thank you Steve and thanks everybody else also.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Melissa P — Fri, 23 May 2014 15:01:50 GMT

To quote my own blog, “As the adage goes, 'A racehorse is an animal that can take several thousand people for a ride at the same time.' I sure am enjoying this ride. I’m praying that it takes all of us to the Winners’ Circle at Belmont Park on June 7; and California Chrome into the history books and his own slice of immortality."

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

food fight — Fri, 23 May 2014 12:36:53 GMT

My heart says CC and triple crown but my brain says 10-1 odds or better on Commissioner and that is just what the doctor ordered . This colt is sitting on a huge effort. Going back to his Gulfstream Park races he ran against huge speed bias in both of those stakes races and had to move prematurely in both races to try and stay close, then there was the Sunland Park derby and again another huge speed bias in which he closed to get 3rd no small feet with the wind that carried the front runners home all day.Next the Peter Pan over a sloppy racetrack at Belmont again he has to move prematurely because Tonalist hits the front before a half mile in that race. He looks like he could be off the board turning for home but continues to grind and is second best in the PP stakes. This sets him up for a huge effort in the Belmont he can sit and let CC and Tonalist do the heavy lifting and get rolling down the lane and grind them down at the wire . I love this colts chances at a huge price $20 or more key play of the day.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

IOWay — Fri, 23 May 2014 05:02:01 GMT

Maybe I will be proven wrong about the quality of this group of 3 yo colts but I doubt it. Time will tell and if I am proven wrong say I told you so!!! We all have our opinions but my eyes don't lie. In the meantime let's just enjoy the California Chrome adventure.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 23 May 2014 03:14:08 GMT

You are simply the best there is Steve. Nobody else even comes close. You are in a class of your own. Almost every article is a masterpiece and those that aren't are brilliant. Some are written with such style and insight and give so much joy to the reader as to be astonishing. Thank you for another incredible year. Go Chrome !!!!!!

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 23 May 2014 02:28:02 GMT

I love the sign on the Marquee at Los Alamitos, "Home of California Chrome."

Belmont Park and Los Alamitos rockin' on June 7th!

Go Chrome!!!!!

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

tjconway — Thu, 22 May 2014 23:44:25 GMT

Steve,

Has it crossed your mind that this race could end up in a dead heat? He doesn't have to "win"....he just has to "not lose"!!!

Something unusual is going to happen in this race because the last two races seemed to be too "textbook"!

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

tjconway — Thu, 22 May 2014 23:40:15 GMT

Maybe if Churchill didn't screw the horse player out of 2% more, The owners may not have said anything......THEY put THEMSELVES out there.....not the owners!

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Mary McLeod — Thu, 22 May 2014 23:24:48 GMT

Thank you, Steve, for this masterpiece. Your description of the Preakness was as exciting as watching it. You are quite right: they are a cast of wonderful characters. I certainly hope that bright copper penny joins my Big Red, Seattle Slew, and all the others, and I hope Steve does not have a heart attack if he does.

Take care.

Mary in Boone

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Ida Lee — Thu, 22 May 2014 22:36:43 GMT

God bless them all and keep all the athletes, both human and equine, safe and sound.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Soldier Course — Thu, 22 May 2014 18:00:17 GMT

IOWay:

One year a few days before the running of the Kentucky Derby a well-known jockey made this comment to another jockey:

"This is not a good three-year-old year."

What year was he talking about?

1973.

Eddie Arcaro, talking with Ron Turcotte.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

predict — Thu, 22 May 2014 05:27:46 GMT

(continued again, keep seending by accident)- Love the Chase, a bargain priced mare, that just happens to bring inbreeding bloodlines to Native Dancer and Northern Dancer, along with Numbered Account who equalled the Keeneland track record for 11/8th mile set by Round Table.

I wouldn't feel there is any breeding limitations to what California Chrome can accomplish. I fully expect him to win the Belmont and do it with the genes with which some very clever breeders were able to see when others couldn't.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 22 May 2014 05:07:36 GMT

This is beautifully written Steve. What a great story on so many levels. I am so happy for the horse, for California Chrome. And who can't love Art Sherman, I can just see Joe Peschi playing his part in the movie! They even sound the same. Love the horse, the connections, and the love Raul has for this horse! It's all an incredible story. And I'll be standing right there at Belmont on June 7th waiting in anticipation for the king of our sport finally to be crowned. I am trying to not think about it, to not get over excited. When all is said and done that day I hope the industry is saying, move over Affirmed, you've now got some more company next to you on that list!

We all know how hard the Belmont is to attain after winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown. So far so good, arrival ok, nasal strips allowed, taking in the surroundings like usual. Hopefully there are no 11th hour stakes barn maneuvers. So unfortunate about Danza being taken out of the Belmont and sent to the farm. Hope he is ok. I had wanted so much to see Danza and for him to be CC's competition. Now it's up to Samraat, Wicked Strong, and Ride On Curlin.

Mr.Cochran seems like he speaks straight from the heart and tells it like it is. Perhaps there is some things Churchill needs to learn as far as hospitality goes. If I am not mistaken didn't Steve and Lenny visit this issue about Mr. Rick Porter having issues with Churchill and the veterans being brought in when Normandy Invasion ran? Perhaps there is a lesson in there for Churchill to learn. And I think he did mention that his partner had business to attend to as well as reasoning for missing the Preakness. CC's owners to me seem like good people. When Mr. Cochran kissed CC it was so poignant.

As far as CC and Ride On Curlin talking it up at 4am in the barn and now being buddy/buddy, maybe it's best to keep those two rivals apart!!!!!!! Imagine the conversations.................

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

predict — Thu, 22 May 2014 04:55:06 GMT

California Chrome is bred very well but it took some real insight and dare we say genius to put together the bargain basement pricing that produced him.

Just looking at Lucky Pulpit, his sire, one immediately can see that you get a sire that for a bargain price

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

robinm — Thu, 22 May 2014 01:52:24 GMT

The first time I saw Cali Chrome run was in the last stakes race at Hollywood Park on closing day last Dec. I was impressed by the smoothness of his stride and economy of motion. He has displayed this same beautiful way of going in every race since. I watched the short video of Cali Chrome jogging on the track at Belmont today, and was again struck by how "true" he travels. Very seldom do you see a horse that doesn't deviate from straight forward in some manner, be it a little "wing" or a little "paddle". I believe this plays a large role in how Chrome is able to run in such an effortless fashion and why he is outrunning his pedigree. I know many, Steve included, have delved deeply into Chrome's pedigree, and stated quite correctly, that there are a lot of great horses back there, but the further back in the pedigree, the less influence a particular horse has. Think of it in terms of percentage. The sire and dam contribute 50% each, the grandsire and granddam contibute 25% each to the sire and dam, the 3rd generation 12.5% each to the 2nd generation, 4th 6.25%, etc. Secretariat is back in the 5th generation, which is 3.125% The sum of all of the parts has certainly resulted in a wonderful specimen. Good training and conditioning has contributed as well and maybe something a little mysterious too.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

nobledancer — Wed, 21 May 2014 23:51:27 GMT

Steve, you've done it---again. You and this story are kismet. It's like you were born to tell it. This is the stuff which drew so many of us into the sport, and keeps us here. The cast of characters in this drama is incredible, their true stories stranger than fiction. I think what grabs me the most about them is that they are both dreamers and realists at the same time, perhaps a quality which comes to us if we live long enough, and don't let our dreams fly away. The words flow so freely from your heart to your hand. There is no other explanation for how you work the magic which you do. The next time someone knocks racing and asks why I feel so passionately about the sport, I should simply hand them this story. Lead on!

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Paula Higgins — Wed, 21 May 2014 23:38:08 GMT

A couple of things. I like both the owners of CC but I also wish that Churchill Downs had not been mentioned at the Preakness. It just wasn't the place to discuss it even if they have legitimate complaints (they may have, I don't know). I think in his happiness over winning the Preakness, what came up came out. They are not public people, used to speaking to the press etc. so I don't think we should hold it against them at all. But I do understand your point, Soldier Course.

My other comment is that I think they may need to look at changing the timing between the Triple Crown races if CC or Ride On Curlin don't win it. I am among those who think you should have to run in one of the other 2 Triple Crown races to be eligible to run in the Belmont. To come in totally fresh and not having run in either leg of the TC does not create a level playing field in my opinion. I know the purists will cringe, but that is how I feel.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Slew — Wed, 21 May 2014 23:16:00 GMT

Another tour de force from your pen, Steve. No one, and I mean NO ONE does it better. Thank you for your writing..and for being you.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

nu-fan — Wed, 21 May 2014 21:30:17 GMT

As I read this story, I kept thinking that Mr. Haskin needs to turn this into a children's book. It would captivate them as well as their parents. He wrote it beautifully and had me mesmerized about this story that seems to keep growing, And, as impatient as I can be, Mr. Haskin kept me through it to the end this story.

re: Chrome Sweet Chrome

Sampson — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:43:16 GMT

Art Sherman is so very deserving of all this. I knew him from ( now history) Bay Meadows. It was never about the money, but the love of the horse. The horse always came first. Art told me once that if you stay around horses they will keep you young and he certainly is proving that.