Chrome Announces His Return in Big Way with San Pasqual Score

The 2014 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year returned from a nine month layoff to win the Grade 2 San Pasqual in style against seven overmatched rivals and looked good doing it. After a forgettable 2015 that saw the champ finish second in the Dubai World Cup and spend several months in England in preparation for a turf start that he would ultimately miss due to injury, California Chrome looked like his old self while making his long-awaited return. Well sort of.

Bigger, stronger, faster

As promised, the Art Sherman trainee has shed the sinewy look he had during his memorable 2014 campaign and looks more like a full-grown man these days. The copper-coated son of Lucky Pulpit strutted around the southern California walking ring at the Great Race Place like he owned it and then ran to his looks. You’d have to go all the way back to Funny Cide to find the last Kentucky Derby winner to make a start as a five year-old – and by that time Funny Cide, a gelding, had already proven to be past his prime.

Chrome eases loss of Pharoah

Certainly California Chrome looks to be a horse just hitting his stride. That’s what makes the San Pasqual performance so exciting. With a return trip to Dubai, horse players and fans alike can look forward to having another big horse in training following American Pharoah’s retirement.