California Chrome out; Will return for full 5yo season

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by letswastemoney

All of his major accomplishments are on dirt because that's what he ran on. The horse he beat at Del Mar on turf ended up winning the Shoemaker Mile recently, so it's not 100 percent proven Chrome isn't a turf horse too.

Before Chrome ever became popular, I labeled him as a polytrack specialist in his 2 year old season because he didn't seem to grip dirt as well. But, he just needed an outside trip.

When he impressively wired the field ( I think it was the Robert Lewis, I was there but not sure which Stake exactly ) how come he didn't need an outside trip?

[robfla]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

When he impressively wired the field ( I think it was the Robert Lewis, I was there but not sure which Stake exactly ) how come he didn't need an outside trip?

Originally Posted by letswastemoney Before Chrome ever became popular, I labeled him as a polytrack specialist in his 2 year old season because he didn't seem to grip dirt as well. But, he just needed an outside trip.

2014 San Felipe Stakes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOmbne501ZE

[letswastemoney]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

When he impressively wired the field ( I think it was the Robert Lewis, I was there but not sure which Stake exactly ) how come he didn't need an outside trip?

I should have typed he runs well in the clear. When he leads, dirt isn't going in his face, and when he runs on the outside he gets to avoid kickback too.

In the Golden State Juvenile, Belmont Stakes and Penn Derby, his trips were inside and he misfired. In the case of the Pennsylvania race, the layoff probably made his lack of kick worse. Eliminate the Belmont Stakes and Penn Derby, and he ran fine throughout 2014. His two races this year were pretty good too, unless people are expecting an invincible record.

He's a horse that can compete at the GI level. It doesn't mean he will win every one of them, but it does not mean he will lose them all either.