California Chrome becomes a legend in Dubai World Cup

California Chrome just ensured his place in the Hall of Fame with an epic victory in Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1). Shrugging off a wide trip, and almost shrugging off his slipping saddle, the 2014 Horse of the Year smashed the track record -- and surpassed Hall of Famer Curlin as North America’s all-time leading earner.

By going one better than his runner-up effort a year ago, California Chrome joined another Hall of Famer, Silver Charm, and Animal Kingdom as Kentucky Derby (G1) winners who went on to World Cup glory.

California Chrome was confidently handled by regular rider Victor Espinoza, who kept him within striking distance, in his wide-traveling comfort zone, before stamping his class down the stretch. The Art Sherman trainee drew off by 3 3/4 lengths and smoked about 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.83. That obliterated the previous mark of 2:03.09 established by Special Fighter in the March 5 Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1).

Mubtaahij got up for second, while Hoppertunity took third despite a wide trip. Special Fighter was fourth, followed by Frosted and Mshawish. Keen Ice fared worst of the Americans in eighth.

With the $6 million winner’s check, “Chrome” has now bankrolled $12,532,650. And with more lucrative targets down the road, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and possibly Frank Stronach’s proposed $12 million contest at Gulfstream Park next January, he stands to rake in a lot more. Co-owner/breeder Perry Martin hopes that Chrome will take over the mantle of the world’s all-time moneyspinner.

Sherman has said all along that Chrome was five lengths better than last year, and he proved it, remaining perfect from three starts this campaign. The popular Cal-bred, who will enter stud at Taylor Made in 2017, will now get a vacation at the Nicholasville, Kentucky, farm.

 

A course record also fell in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), where the Roger Varian-trained Postponed rebuffed Japan’s Duramente. Under regular pilot Andrea Atzeni, the son of Dubawi clocked about 1 1/2 miles in 2:26.97, bettering Gentildonna’s 2:27.25 from this race in 2014.

Duramente, who dislodged a shoe in the post parade and ran with only three feet shod, briefly loomed behind Postponed in the stretch but finished two lengths adrift. Compatriot Last Impact rallied for third, and early leader Highland Reel tired to fourth in his reappearance.

Postponed became the first horse to graduate from the local prep, the Dubai City of Gold (G2), to Sheema success. Previously trained by Luca Cumani, he scored his signature win in last summer’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) and next landed the Prix Foy (G2). The Sheema extended his winning skein to four.