California Dreamin’ About the Kentucky Derby

Derby hype is reaching a fever pitch in California – the home of this year’s early favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, a flashy chestnut colt by the name of California Chrome. He is currently listed at 11/5 odds as seen here at Kentucky-Derby-Online-Betting.com.

Santa Anita Racetrack, which for the first time will conduct a live race meet during the Triple Crown races, is touting the “biggest Derby party west of Kentucky.” It will include a hat contest, California Chrome T-shirts, a craft beer garden, food trucks, and a gourmet BBQ in an exclusive VIP area.

The excitement is understandable. If California Chrome lives up to expectations with a victory in Saturday’s Run for the Roses, he will be only the fourth California-bred Derby winner and the first one in more than 50 years, joining the ranks of Morvich (1922), Swaps (1955) and Decidedly (1962).

California Chrome was an impressive 5-length winner of the Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby April 5.  In 78 runnings of the Santa Anita Derby, only three horses have run the historic race faster than California Chrome. He put in his final work before the Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning, going four furlongs at his Los Alamitos headquarters in 48 1/5 under regular rider Victor Espinoza. He shipped to Churchill Downs Monday, apparently taking everything in stride.

 “He’s my Swaps,” said Trainer Art Sherman, who is making his first trip to the Kentucky Derby as a trainer. “I’m very humbled to have a horse like this.” Things have come full circle for Sherman, who at the age of 18 accompanied Swaps to Louisville as his regular exercise rider.

Owned by his breeders, Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, California Chrome is a chestnut colt by Lucky Pulpit out of the mare Love the Chase. He has won six races from 10 starts and has been second once while earning $1,134,850. Now the hopes and dreams of the entire state rest with him as he seeks to become the first California-bred since 1962 to win the Kentucky Derby.

“He’s a Cal-Bred, but he doesn’t know that!” said co-owner Steve Coburn.

California pride will certainly be on display at Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, and all of the California off-track wagering locations on Saturday.

The west coast post time for the 140th Derby is at 3:24 p.m. The first live race post time at Santa Anita on Saturday is at 11:30 a.m.

Siren Lure Gives Trainer Steve Sherman First Stakes Victory in Sausalito Stakes

Edited Golden Gate Fields report

Siren Lure snapped a 12-race losing streak Saturday when he charged powerfully down the stretch to score a 1 1/4-length victory over 2-to-5 favorite Indyanne in the $75,000 Sausalito Stakes at Golden Gate Fields, giving trainer Steve Sherman his first stakes victory. Sherman went out on his own in 2008 after serving as an assistant trainer to his father, Art, for many years. Art was the trainer of record for all of Siren Lure's previous 32 starts.

“It’s exciting,” said Steve Sherman of his maiden stakes win. “I saddled many stakes winners for my father but it’s great to get my first one.” The victory was Siren Lure’s first since Aug. 20, 2006, when he captured the Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Del Mar.

A stone cold stretch-runner, Siren Lure received a great set up in the six-furlong Sausalito as four horses, including Indyanne, battled for the lead through fractions of 21.37 and 44.23.

Indyanne, a 3-year-old filly facing male rivals for the first time and making her first start since Oct. 4, was a little too aggressive early, according to jockey Russell Baze.

“She was a little too fresh today,” said Baze of Indyanne, who lost for only the second time in seven starts. “We had planned to let the other speed go and sit behind them but she wouldn’t have it. I tried to ease her back but she wanted no part of that.

“We were caught up in a speed duel and it set up for Siren Lure,” continued Baze. “Take nothing away from that horse – he ran a big race. My filly ran hard to the wire and he caught us.”

Frank Alvarado rode Siren Lure, who stopped the timer in 1:09.40 and paid $12.60 as the second choice in the wagering.

“I just wanted to keep my horse outside and out of trouble,” said Alvarado. “From the three-sixteenths pole to the wire he was just flying. I mean he was rolling. I thank Steve for giving me the chance to ride this horse. It’s his first stakes win and I’m glad I was a part of it.”

Siren Lure is a 7-year-old gelding owned in partnership by Stuart Kesselman and Tony and Marilyn Melkonian. The Sausalito victory was worth $45,000 and increased Siren Lure’s earnings to $913,844.