Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome made no mistake on his turf debut when he easily handled five rivals in the G1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar.

The popular chestnut colt was winning his first race since the Preakness Stakes in May as he came home three lengths clear of Queen's Plate winner Lexie Lou in the $300,000 event, now run at Del Mar following the closure of its former home Hollywood Park last year.

Sent off an odds on favourite, the dual classic winner broke alertly and was always prominent after he conceded the lead in the early stages to Sawyer's Hill.

Taking command on the far turn, California Chrome won without being asked a serious question to land his fourth G1 triumph of 2014 after his wins in the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Whether it’s enough to get him over the line in voting for the US Horse of the Year award remains a big question with other candidates such as Bayern, Main Sequence, Untapable and Shared Belief al in the running.