California Chrome Does It Again

May 17, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome celebrates winning the 139th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Belmont Stakes will mean something in 2014. Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome doubled up on Triple Crown wins with a win Saturday at The Preakness. If there was any question about California Chrome being America’s horse they were answered Saturday.

Breaking from the gate Chrome settled in around the third or fourth spot allowing Social Inclusion to set the early pace. Jockey Victor Espinosa knew what his horse needed and he gave it to him. Breaking from the third gate California Chrome did not have history on his side. No horse had won The Preakness from that gate since 1993.

Going against the grain isn’t something that seems to phase California Chrome and his owners. The working man’s horse, owned by two average joes, bought for $10,000 a joke of a price in the horse world has turned the racing world upside down. They now head to The Belmont in New York 3 weeks from Saturday to try to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.

Jockey Victor Espinosa held California Chrome back until the final stretch. Exiting the corner he opened Chrome up letting him go and go is exactly what he did. Social Inclusion who did not run the Kentucky Derby was supposed to challenge California Chrome. He did challenge but Social Inclusion did not have the closing speed that California Chrome did and it showed as the Chrome pulled away in front of an absolutely packed crowd in Baltimore.

The Belmont in three weeks will be held on June 7th. The 1.5 mile race is the longest of the Triple Crown, the question on everyone’s mind is can California Chrome win in that distance. If today was any indication I’d be hard pressed to doubt him.

This horse is officially America’s horse, no doubt about it. The Belmont crowd will be pro Chrome all the way. Dumb Ass Partners, the owners have become America’s favorite new owners as well. Their 15 minutes of fame may be short but everyone will remember this duo.