Once upon a time there was an 18 year old named Art Sherman. Now Art in 1955 traveled on a train from Southern California to Louisville, KY with a horse named Swaps who he exercised rode. All the Khaled (GB) California bred had done is win the San Vicente and Santa Anita Derby and was heading to the Kentucky Derby. In that race he defeated Nashua who would go onto win the Preakness and Belmont. While Swaps sired a Derby winner, Nashua is the broodmare sire of Mr. Prospector, possibly the most important sire for the modern Thoroughbred.
Flash forward to 2014, Art is now 77 years old and a trainer. He goes to the Derby with the favorite California Chrome. Just like Swaps, the Lucky Pulpit California bred won the SA Derby and was KY Derby bound. Before the race, his owners Perry Martin & Steve Coburn (who also bred him) where offered $6 million for 51% ownership in him. They said no, and they where rewarded with a KY Derby win.
Congrats to Perry, Steve, Art and jockey Victor Espinoza who picked up his second Derby win (the first was in 2002). California Chrome is the first CA bred to win the race since Decidedly wore the Roses in 1962 and only the fourth overall.
Here are some other thoughts.
* Poor Rosie, won the Oaks and finishes last in the Derby.
* Danza may have cut off Wicked Strong (from what I read on Twitter), but I have to watch the replay.
* Surprisingly I'm actually okay with WS getting fourth considering he may have gotten cut off by Danza. Hopefully they skip the Preakness and try to spoil in the Belmont (if CC wins the middle jewel).
* I picked a Lucky Pulpit in 2012 (Rousing Sermon) ... uh can I have a redo on that?
* Commanding Curve surprised me, wished ownership-mate Ring Weekend was there instead though.
* How cool that Tony Danza came to root the horse named after him!
* Gary Stevens complained that Wicked Strong cut him off... that might be true, but he didn't have a chance to win anyway (my opinion of course)
* The two recent Derby winners that CC would be comparable to are 2003 winner Funny Cide and 2004 winner Smarty Jones. In matter of fact, I said on Twitter that if those two could have a child together, he (or she!) would be CC.
* Untapable has the opportunity to become the heir apparent to Rachel Alexandra after her win in the Oaks on Friday. No it wasn't a Rachel length winning margin, but time was fast and it looks to be a bit of a weaker male crop. Sounds like no Preakness though.
* Speaking of Smarty, an icon from his home city of Philadelphia Julius "Dr. J" Erving gave the riders up call!
* If you thought I'll Have Another's post position pony Lava Man was legendary, well California Chrome's was just as amazing. His name is Perfect Drift and he finished 3rd behind Victor and War Emblem in the 2002 Derby. He would go onto win the 2003 Stephen Foster (defeating that year's HOY Mineshaft). Lately he's been splitting time between the KY Derby museum and his owners farm in Kansas, but last year at 14 he started his ponying career. 1 Derby, and he's got a winner not bad Drifty not bad.
* Art breaks a 25 year old record that was held by Charlie Wittingham. That is the oldest trainer to win the Derby.
* It's too early say Triple Crown will be won this year, the Preakness is always the tricky one (yes even more then the Belmont).
No comments:
Post a Comment