California Chrome was sensational yet again at Santa Anita on Saturday when he added the the G1 Awesome Again Stakes to his record with a hollow win over old rival Dortmund.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome served notice that he remains the horse to beat in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 5.

Breaking from the rail, the 5YO son of Lucky Pulpit was hustled out of the gate as Dortmund, wearing blinkers, moved to his immediate outside by Rafael Bejarano.

The pair were separated by a neck around the Club House turn before Espinoza stepped on the gas and the race was all over.

“Dortmund wasn’t a threat,” said Espinoza.

“I just kept pulling away, which only helped me get some breathing room between us and the rest of the field.

“I ran the first part fast but then eased up on him. I didn’t want to overuse him today, we’ve got a big race coming up.”

California Chrome, North America’s all-time leading money earner, has now won six races in succession and improved his overall mark to 24-15-3-1 increasing his record bankroll to $US13,432,650.

Art Sherman, 79, assisted by his son Alan, said he is looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“I hope everything goes according to plan. Each race seems a little bit better,” he said.

“It’s a little scary. It’s a dream come true.”

Dortmund, winner of the 2015 Santa Anita Derby and trained by Bob Baffert, kept to his task throughout and finished 4 ½ lengths in front of third placed Win The Space.

• Stellar Wind got the better of arch rival Beholder to take out the G1 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita by a neck, giving jockey Victor Espinoza his third G1 victory on the day.

Trained by John Sadler she is now the likely favorite for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita on November 4.

Three-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder finished some 11 ¾ lengths clear of the third place finisher.

“It’s always good to be next to Beholder, but to be able to pull away it’s not easy!” Espinoza said.

“Stellar Wind is an incredible mare and she will continue to be good.”

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Curlin, Stellar Wind has recored seven wins from 11 starts and earnings of $US1,353,200.

“We thought she’d be a better four-year-old,” said Sadler.

“She’s a bigger, stronger horse this year. She’s relatively fresh and we get to go into the Breeders’ Cup off of three starts. We’re looking forward to it.”

Beholder, who was seeking a record fourth win in the Zenyatta, has now suffered three consecutive defeats.

“I have no excuses,” said her rider Gary Stevens.

“Hat’s off to the winner. Hopefully we can bounce back and get some pace in the Breeders’ Cup.”