“He broke great and had a perfect trip,” said trainer Art Sherman. “I was so happy when I saw where he was able to set him. Right now he’s really on his toes and doing good. He’s a remarkable horse to come back in two weeks and win. I know he’s not the only horse that ever did that, but it’s tough on a horse to come back in two weeks. I appreciate everyone involved in my team.”
Runner-up Ride On Curlin, who’s owner Dan Dougherty and trainer Billy Gowan both call Louisville home, will be waiting for California Chrome in Elmont, NY when he mounts his bid to be the horse that quench’s a 36-year Triple Crown drought on June 7.
“I thought he ran huge,” Gowan said of Ride On Curlin’s effort. “He trained great all week and he ran just like I thought he would, if you want to know the truth. He (Rosario) gave him a great ride. At the eighth-pole I thought, heck, we might have a shot. But you have to give a lot of credit to (California Chrome). He doesn’t ever quit. Ours didn’t either; he just couldn’t get to him.”
California Chrome returned $3.00, $3.00, and $2.40. Ride On Curlin paid $5.60 and $3.80 and completed the $2 exacta for $18.20. Social Inclusion paid $3.40 and completed the $2 trifecta for $76.00. General A Rod completed the $1 superfecta for $173.80. The final time for the 1 3/16 mile race over the fast dirt was 1:54.84. Click here to see a replay of California Chrome’s win in Preakness 139.
Photo: Courtesy Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
