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California Chrome is set to transcend in tomorrow’s Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy race! Chrome has traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for the 2nd time in his brief but exciting 5 years. Tomorrow’s (2/25/16) prep race is a handicap race meant to give Chrome both the practice he needs and the rest time he wants prior to his second chance at bringing home the Dubai World Cup!
The Dubai World Cup (DWC), operated by Emirates Racing Authority, was created in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is the ruler of Dubai, the founder of Godolphin Racing and the owner of Darley. The DWC is the end of the UAE racing season at Meydan Racecourse. The season is from 11/5/15 to 3/26/16 this time. Prior to 2010, this race was held at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on the same grounds. Since the remodel, Meydan has a hotel with suites that face the racecourse, golf, a museum, dining and a theatre. The grandstands hold 60,000 fans. There is a dirt track and a turf track. Prior to 2015 the Meydan dirt track was a synthetic material called Tapeta. The DWC is the world’s richest race. The purse money on DWC day, the last Saturday of March annually, is $30 million dollars of which $10 million is the prize for just the one race! The entire DWC Carnival has a purse of $40 million dollars. The Carnival is mixed in with the regular season and is featured on 11 days of international racing ending with the DWC, sponsored by Emirates. Admission to the grandstands and paddock views are free through the regular racing season.
California Chrome is the 5 year old champ of sire, Lucky Pulpit, and dam, Love the Chase. He has had 19 career starts. He is owned by California Chrome, LCC, which is Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm. He was bred by Martin and Steve Coburn. Chrome ran second in the DWC in 2015. Prince Bishop was the 2015 winner. Chrome was with his regular jockey, Victor Espinoza, when he last raced in Dubai as he will again this year. Chrome has won the 2014 Kentucky Derby, the 2014 Preakness Stakes, the 2014 Eclipse Award Horse of the Year Award and the 2014 Eclipse Award Champion 3 Year Old Colt Award. He ran 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2014. After he ran at Meydan on 3/28/15 he suffered a few injuries and some time in recovery, He raced again on 1/9/16 and was victorious in the Santa Anita San Pasqual Stakes (G2).
Last year Chrome did not participate in a prep race in Dubai prior to his effort in the DWC. The most popular prep race is Super Saturday, ran at Meydan 3 weeks prior to the DWC. Chrome will not race on Super Saturday. Tomorrow, the feature race is The Zabeel Mile (G1). Chrome won’t be in that race either. Rather, his connections have chosen the same prep race used by Curlin who won the DWC in 2008. Chrome will race the 6th race tomorrow, the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy Race (TGET). The purse is $150,000 dollars. His owners thought that since he didn’t have a prep last year and placed 2nd they would prep him this time but they didn’t want a race that was too difficult and they wanted him to have more recovery time. The 2016 TGET is a 1 and 1/4 mile (about 10 furlongs) dirt handicap race for horses 3 years old and upwards. Chrome will carry the most weight, about 15 pounds more than his 7 competitors. Chrome drew the rail in the following field:
- California Chrome(USA)-5YO
- El Tren(IRE)-5YO
- Good Contact(USA)-4YO
- Hunting Ground(USA)-6YO
- Pit Stop(IRE)-5YO
- Plantagenet(SPA)-9YO
- Storm Belt(USA)-7YO
- Success Story(KOR)-5YO
Look out for Hunting Ground whose sire, Street Cry, won the DWC in 2002!
I have faith that Chrome can win the TGET and then he will be ready for the DWC this time! Several Thoroughbreds with USA roots have won the DWC. The inaugural race in 1996 was won by Cigar. In 1998 Silver Charm won. Captain Steve took the Cup in 2001. Pleasantly Perfect was victorious in 2004. Roses In May was the big winner in 2005. Electrocutionist who won in 2006 was foaled in the USA. 2007 saw USA trained Invasor win. Curlin grabbed the title in 2008. Well Armed was the champ in 2009. Finally, 2013 shared ownership with the Australian’s with Animal Kingdom.
Let’s hope it is time for California Chrome to win some more! Victor Espinoza wants to be the 1st jockey to win the Triple Crown and the DBC. He is already the 1st jockey to win the Grand Slam, the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Chrome’s owners want him the win the TGET and the DWC followed by the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita to make him the USA’s #1 Thoroughbred in all time earnings and then to stand stud at Taylor Made Farm. I wish Chrome all the success in the world and I am looking forward to his return to Taylor Made. I will be watching TVG at 12:55 P.M. EST on 2/25/16 to see Chrome transcend!
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