California Chrome Brilliant in World Cup Win

A year later, a year better for California Chrome   in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

After coming up second in last year's edition, a wide trip throughout did not hamper the 2014 Horse of the Year March 26 at Meydan.

Breaking from post 11 in the field of 12 for the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4 miles) dirt trek, jockey Victor Espinoza hustled the son of Lucky Pulpit   out of the gate and into third—four-wide on the first turn and three-wide on the second bend to keep forwardly placed with Mshawish, who set the pace, with Special Fighter tracking second, 

Espinoza's athleticism was tested as California Chrome's saddle slipped far back past his barrel, but the jockey maintained his balance, his brilliant chestnut mount unleashed a powerful burst exiting the last turn, and the duo left their rivals in the dust in the world's richest race. 

"I was just trying to keep my balance and not move my body," Espinoza said. "I just kept looking forward and thinking 'where's the wire?' It was not coming fast enough.

"I felt like if I could hit the turn three or four wide I'll be in good shape. Today it proves how he can run when he's 100 per cent. In the prep (race), he felt strong. He won easy. I didn't want to override him because I knew he was going to have a tough race today."

Final time was 2:01.83, a new track record on the dirt course installed for the 2015 meeting at Meydan. Mubtaahij made a rail move to pick up second, but was well behind the winner. Hoppertunity finished third. Completing the order of finish were Special Fighter, Frosted, Mshawish, Candy Boy, Keen Ice, Hokko Tarumae, Teletext, Vadamos, and Gun Pit.

"He's back to his best," jockey Christophe Soumilion said of Mubtaahij, the 2015 UAE Derby (UAE-II) winner. "It was an excellent run. I had a nice position but California Chrome is just a superb horse."

With the victory, California-bred California Chrome became the richest North American racehorse of all time. The $6 million winner's share pushed the brilliant chestnut's earnings to $12,532,650, eclipsing 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin's $10,501,800.

"He's a once-in-a-lifetime horse for me," trainer Art Sherman said. "I'm just elated. I've always wanted to run this horse as a 5-year-old, because that's the best year a horse can have. And in our world right now, we don't have the handicap horses any more... I'm just so happy that it gives racing a big boost to have a horse like that."

The Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at the end of the year lies ahead for California Chrome, perhaps even followed by a run at the $12 million Pegasus World Championship in January, should that race materialize as envisioned by Frank Stronach.

"The big target is the Breeders' Cup, and we've already been contacted about the race in January, the $12 million race, and if they put that together, we'll go for that," co-owner Perry Martin said.

Sherman mentioned the Pacific Classic (gr. I) as an earlier race possibility as well. 

California Chrome is set to retire to stud at Taylor Made Farm when his racing days are done, as the Kentucky operation now owns 30% interest along with multiple shareholders. He will leave Dubai March 31 on a Chicago-bound flight, where he must clear quarantine before continuing on to Taylor Made Farm for some well-deserved R&R. He will spend about 30 days there before returning to Sherman's barn.