Chrome Diaries: A Classic Day With Chrome

Saturday morning I woke to the sound of rain pounding on the window of my hotel at 3 a.m. It was the morning of the final day of the Breeders’ Cup Championships and we were getting buckets of the stuff. Southern California has been in a state of extreme drought, so as a resident of the region, having not seen a drop since June, it was welcome. Though I was concerned about how long it would last and the condition of the track at Santa Anita for the day, with post time for the first race at 10:15 a.m.
We arrived on the back side a little after 7 a.m. and sloshed through the mud, joking with those we encountered about the best approach to keep from sinking in up to our ankles or sliding down an embankment, with tire tracks and culverts presenting the winning options. The paths and alleyways were practically empty and it was cool and quiet.

We stopped by barn No. 56 to check on California Chrome, who had been out for his race day morning jog at 5 a.m. Groom Raul Rodriguez was busily tending to chores around the barn. The rain started again and we chatted a bit, waiting for a break so that we could walk to the grandstand. Raul was in good spirits and was confident that Chrome would run a great race that afternoon.

When we reached the front side of Santa Anita Park, grey clouds were still hanging low around the mountains, and the grounds crews were out in full force. Graders and tractors were making the rounds, and while the undercard races were moved from the turf to the main track, by post time of the first race both courses were rated as “good”, and after two races on the main track it was upgraded to “fast”.

Those arriving early to the park were treated to four rehearsals of our National Anthem by rock legend Richie Sambora. He was working out his timing, as the public address system runs on a delay of a little more than a second, and even with headphones on, that can really throw you off if you don’t work through it a few times. Some track veterans expressed their confusion at the repeated announcements and having to rise from their seats, not wanting to appear to be unpatriotic. I just joked that they were getting in a good workout before the races started, and they laughed in response.  My favorite part of the rehearsals was seeing Richie’s keyboardist playing “air piano”.  Classic.

When racing started I set up in my favorite position, at the turn toward home, and was happy with photos I captured of horses moving into position to win. In the fourth race there was jockey Victor Espinoza aboard Take Charge Brandi, in white and black silks, thundering around the turn in front. The fifth race saw Dayatthespa leading the initial charge out of the gate and from the turf to the dirt and back, and taking that lead to the wire.

Horses are thrilling to watch, but I was also fascinated by the grounds crew, and the precision with which they, and the outriders, worked to move the position of the rails between the turf and main track and to keep the horses safe and on course.  

In the eighth race my position at the turn really paid off as I was able to capture the progress made coming out of the turn by the race’s eventual winner, Texas Red, with Kent Desormeaux aboard. I don’t shoot in “bursts”, where you hold down the shutter to grab multiple shots in rapid succession. I’ve practiced my timing, and prefer to select my shots, which also makes for less work in post production when I’m editing. The three sequential images that I did get illustrate the power of this talented two-year-old.  I’ll be keeping an eye on him this spring.

Around 3 p.m. my fiancé, Scott, and I left the grandstand and headed to the backside to wait with Team Sherman and California Chrome for the final race of the day. With almost 3 hours until post time, we joked and played with some of the companion animals that occupy nearby barns. Thanks to Wifi service and an iPad, we were also able to watch the races being called on the track, which helped to pass the time and keep things mellow.

At 4:15 p.m., assistant trainer Alan Sherman told Raul it was time to get Chrome ready to go, and at 4:30 p.m. they left the barn, Alan following close behind his trainee, who was lovingly flanked by Raul and exercise rider Willie Delgado.  A significant entourage made up of family and friends trailed behind in silent support of our favorite colt.

We reached the receiving barn, and one by one, the competition arrived.  The fourteen horse field eventually filled the walking circle inside, where final vet checks were made. When they emerged it was in order of their post positions, marked by the numbers now appearing on the jackets of each groom.

As California Chrome finally stepped into the softening evening light, we all filed in behind him to complete the walk to the paddock. It’s hard to describe the feeling of walking behind this amazing animal as the crowd pressed against the rails to get a glimpse of him. Individual shouts of support could be heard, and there was an explosive cheer as he came into view of the paddock and turned toward the saddling area.

I have never seen the paddock at any track so crowded as the one at Santa Anita that afternoon. Thankfully, the post positions were marked, making it easy to find the Sherman family and friends who were waiting. It wasn’t long before trainer Art Sherman joined us, and fans called out from the crowd for him to pose for remote photos. When I stepped out to get a photo of him with some family members, he broke everyone up by warning me not to get between him and the public.

Another crowd reaction told us that California Chrome and the rest of the field for the Classic were making their way from the saddling area to the paddock.  Some of the entries were noticeably jumpy as they walked the oval.  The crowd, no doubt, was unsettling and likely more than any of them had experienced before. Just moments after jockey Victor Espinoza joined the group and California Chrome came into view, the call for “riders up” was heard, and the jockeys mounted their horses and headed through the tunnel to the main track.

The crowd, cheering for the horses and riders as they entered the track and were announced, once again erupted as California Chrome and Victor Espinosa were introduced. I watched from my place in the moving throng, about 20 yards behind them, still in the tunnel. I left my friends when we reached trackside and walked down the pathway beside the rail, toward the far end where the starting gate stood.

As horses started to load into the gate I saw Chrome dancing around near the gap in the track that leads to the backside. He was ready to go, and his team had prepared him. My heart started pounding as he entered the gate, and the gates opened and they were off. As the field rushed past me I fired my shutter, and then I waited as they traveled the stretch, entered the first turn, and then the backstretch. I could see and hear that Victor had Chrome in good position, and as they entered my viewfinder, they were powering through the turn and heading for home.  

I had to listen to the call as I walked quickly down the home stretch, feeling that Chrome had the race based on what I had witnessed. Then I heard that he had finished a close third, while running his heart out, followed by the announcement of a steward’s inquiry. As the crowd waited for a decision, Chrome’s saddle was removed and Raul circled the colt on the track, as photographers lined up to take photos of the eventual champion, Bayern. My eyes were on Raul and Chrome, and as they walked back to the receiving barn for post-race procedures, I was right behind them.

It would be 30 minutes or so before the process of drawing blood and taking urine samples would be completed, so I walked back to Barn 56 and reunited with Team Sherman.  While the celebration was not as intense as it would have been had Chrome won the race, everyone was happy with his performance. He ran a great race, and was strong and sound. When Raul arrived at the barn, without Chrome, I asked who had him, and Raul said “Mama”, referring to his wife, Florentina. What a team they make.
We waited while the parking lot cleared, and for the return of our champion, enjoying the BEST spicy guacamole and chips. (I don’t know where they get it, but I have to find out.)  While I have since read the opinions of many in the press and general public about the start and outcome of this race, the conversations that night with the supporters of California Chrome were centered around his performance and our mutual desire to see him run again and again. The Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, as a four-year-old, was a wish expressed by many. I hope to see that wish come true.

Chrome was soon back in his stall, and the transport to take him back home to Los Alamitos arrived. This was a different colt from the one that I saw after the Pennsylvania Derby in September. There, he seemed disappointed - even mad - about the outcome. This night, he was grabbing enormous mouthfuls of hay from his feedbag, his head bobbing and weaving as he danced in his stall.  He felt good, and was ready for more.
The team began to disperse, and I hugged my friends and said I would see them in a two weeks. I have family arriving in a few days, and the fall meet at Del Mar opens on Friday. I’ll be writing about teams and the life on the backside, as well as continuing to chronicle Team Sherman and California Chrome. It’s been an amazing week, and I will miss everyone, but I’m looking forward to being at home with my fiancé and catching up on some much needed sleep.
Someone asked me the other day, if Chrome retires, will that be it for the Shermans and me. I can only express my feelings. These are my friends, and whether they have a stakes horse or a barn full of claimers, I’ll be around. They are what is right with Thoroughbred horse racing, and I am happy and honored to share that story with anyone who is interested in learning more about people who love horses and this sport, and how they conduct their business. I’m grateful for the access they have given to me, and the images I have been fortunate to capture of this gorgeous horse and the team that loves him.  
I don’t know if it will continue, and I hope it does, but as Alan says … This is Chrome’s show - I’m just along for the ride.