Kentucky Derby 2014

[StarGirl11]

The Santa Anita Derby in progress this time. First as they come by us the first time from my position right in front of the winner's circle:

And then as California Chrome comes running down the stretch geared down to victory:

Winner's circle photos coming in a moment.

 

[StarGirl11]

California Chrome waiting to enter the winner's circle:

Just for fun a shot of the owners and the winner circle crowd as their waiting for California Chrome to enter:

And now back to California Chrome waiting to enter the winner's circle. Now getting sponged off after vicotry. I really did have some good timing with my camera this race:

 

[StarGirl11]

 

[StarGirl11]

Winner's circle shots. Good luck today handsome and safe travels to all:

 

[Hillbeans]

Have to go with California Chrome here, good PP, decent Jockey....too hard to win from that outside post on this track.

I should have placed a bet...paid $7.00 for win.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

And in a surprise to basically nobody (least of all StarGirl11), California Chrome wins the Derby.

I don't see much standing in his way for winning the Preakness either? Anyone care to argue that?

As such, since my husband once foolishly promised to take me to the Belmont whenever a Triple Crown was on the line, I'm calling 6-1 odds that I'll be spending a long weekend in New York this June.

 

[lynxstch]

And in a surprise to basically nobody (least of all StarGirl11), California Chrome wins the Derby.

I don't see much standing in his way for winning the Preakness either? Anyone care to argue that?

As such, since my husband once foolishly promised to take me to the Belmont whenever a Triple Crown was on the line, I'm calling 6-1 odds that I'll be spending a long weekend in New York this June.

I have a feeling we may have a Triple Crown winner coming up very soon! If so, have a great trip!

 

[kacaju]

so hoping for a triple crown winner this year!! We are in NJ and go to Monmouth Park a lot...in fact we are heading there for Mother's Day. Of course we had to root for Joe Bravo 3rd place in the derby is better then nothing!!

 

[Deb in IA]

Great race, and congrats to California Chrome!!

Wonderful story about the owners and the trainer, and love the DAP acronym!

He looks great. I just hope he stays healthy through the Preakness and Belmont.

I don't want to jinx anything, but I remember this level of excitement for Barbaro . . .

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

And in a surprise to basically nobody (least of all StarGirl11), California Chrome wins the Derby.
I don't see much standing in his way for winning the Preakness either? Anyone care to argue that?
As such, since my husband once foolishly promised to take me to the Belmont whenever a Triple Crown was on the line, I'm calling 6-1 odds that I'll be spending a long weekend in New York this June.

The real difficulty of the Preakness and the Belmont too these days is there are always those entries that skip the derby and bring a fresh horse in. But California Chrome was a very safe pick for the derby. His last two starts were better than anything any other horse in the field had ever done. He was never really pushed down the stretch at all, and his winning margin only came down to 1 1/2 lengths because his jockey stood up before the finish line which was a smart thing to so. The object is to win. Once that is accomplished, save the horse. By the way the Belmont is a very fun trip. But you should buy tickets now and just decide to go rather than waiting until after the Preakness to see if a triple crown is at stake if you want to go. This year's card has 13 races, 10 of which are stakes races with a total purse on the day over 8 million. It's going to be a fun day, triple crown or not. I think you can get into General Admission for $10 or 20 bucks or something like that. Reserved seats in the better sections are around $100 bucks I think, upper tiers less than $50. And if you want to go all out, inside seats with full view of the track, and an all day buffet are around $400 bucks per person.

 

[maxaroni]

Great race, and congrats to California Chrome!!

Wonderful story about the owners and the trainer, and love the DAP acronym!

He looks great. I just hope he stays healthy through the Preakness and Belmont.

I don't want to jinx anything, but I remember this level of excitement for Barbaro . . .

{{{BARBARO}}}

I fell in love with this beloved horse...hook, line and sinker. Watched his sublime performance in the KD and then 2 weeks later tragedy. I followed his journey for the next 8 months and continued to fall more and more in love with his strength and courage. I learned so much about horse racing, laminatis, track safety, anti slaughter, etc. He taught many people so very much. I had never really followed horse racing but did watch the KD. Barbaro changed my life.