California Chrome proved that he belongs on the Triple Crown trail with a front-running stampede to win the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Saturday.
The modest California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit took his current winning streak to three with a 7.25 lengths romp for his first triumph in open company in the G2 test over 1 1/16-mile.
His combined margin of victory during his current streak is 19 lengths.
The victory was worth 50 points toward a start in the Kentucky Derby for California Chrome, trained by Art Sherman who has been in racing for more than 50 years as jockey and trainer.
"We all know Santa Anita's a speed-biased type of track, so it was really great to see him with the hold he had on him," Sherman said. "It's unbelievable."
With Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome posted an outstanding time of 1:40.59. Midnight Hawk was a distant second, 6.25 lengths clear of third-place Kristo.
The win sets up a tantalizing match-up between California Chrome and impressive Robert B. Lewis Stakes winner Candy Boy in the G1 Santa Anita Derby on April 5.
"Well, we'll kind of play it by ear," Sherman said.
"This horse is improving right at the right time. He just keeps looking better and better.”
California Chrome's fifth lifetime win from nine starts was worth $180,000 and boosted his career earnings to $534,850.
In Florida Ring Weekend sprang a 14-1 upset in $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, finishing well clear of G3 Sam F. Davis winner Vinceremos in a speedy gate-to-wire score.
The 3-year-old Tapit gelding stepped up from a maiden victory at Gulfstream Park to take the G2 Tampa Bay feature after jockey Daniel Centeno went straight to the front from the inside post and stayed there.
Ring Weekend now has a 2-1-2 record from six starts with the Tampa Bay Derby victory giving him 50 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
"I wouldn't say my confidence was high, but I really thought he was legit," said trainer Graham Motion.
“I think gelding him got his mind on the game. I think the others kind of left him alone because they possibly didn't consider him a legit horse and he got away with it.
“I could never have anticipated him winning like that."
