Keeneland is the Fall place to race in America. Ten ” Win and You’re In” stakes were raced there early October for berths into the Breeders’ Cup. Many more of the thoroughbreds that raced at Keeneland recently will go on to compete in big races worldwide. Just like her champion father, California Chrome, California Angel brought so much more than a win to the Keeneland experience.I could write stories on several but I have the most endearment for this particular horse thus far.
California Chrome captured the attention and hearts of racing fans everywhere in 2014 with his quick and flashy win in the Kentucky Derby. He came from a humble beginning and triumphed to impress and conquer in most entries. Four days after Valentine’s Day, 2011, Love The Chase gave birth to California Chrome. Sired by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome was named for his California breeding and the chrome ( thus nickname: Chrome) referring to his four white socks and his white blaze. He resembled his sire and for thus he was lovingly called, Junior, by his connections. Racing in California, at age two, Chrome caught the attention of local fans who dubbed themselves collectively as Chromies. With a successful three year-old season Chrome looked to be a strong triple crown contender with wins in the KY Derby and Preakness. It is likely that a tendon injury, slightly before the Belmont, dashed that dream. However, Chrome went on to win many more graded stakes both in America and internationally. Chrome has earned 4 Eclipse Awards and the Secretariat Vox Populi Award. In 2017, Chrome began his stud career in Kentucky and also Chile. His first crop was born in January of 2018. By 2020, Chrome had sired winners in multiple countries. Presently, California Chrome, stands stud in Japan. Chrome has close to 100 foals in each of his three United States crops, ages 1 to 3. That brings us to his rising star daughter, California Angel.
California Angel was born four days before Valentine’s Day, 2019 to Sea Mona. She is a KY bred. With only three career entries she is set to make her next start in the Breeders’ Cup! California Angel resembles her sire, California Chrome. She is a beautiful chestnut with flashy white socks and blaze. She broke her maiden at first asking in September at Kentucky Downs. Later that month, she raced third at Churchill Downs, home of the KY Derby. At the current Keeneland meet, she won the grade 2 JP Morgan Chase Jessamine Stakes! This race was a “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race with an automatic berth into the grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The $1 million dollar, 1 mile turf race is set for Del Mar, in California, on 11/5/21.
The Chromies that made it to Keeneland’s track on 10/13/21 were ecstatic to witness California Angel’s win. There were tears, hugs, pictures and smiles. The energy felt familiar to the love that fans everywhere share for her father. I can imagine that the California based Chromies and the world wide fans that flock to the Breeders’ Cup are full of expectation for this fine filly.
The Keeneland Fall Meet has 2 days and 5 stakes races to go. I’ll make sure to catch a couple more live races before it comes to a rest. There is no place on earth quite like Keeneland. It is a little piece of heaven and I’m so impressed with their racing grad, California Angel.
When the live racing is over at Keeneland, I’ll still be following the thoroughbreds and sharing some stories. Thank you for your continued readership. Please, tell a friend or two about my site.
