California Chrome looking good after PA Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome is looking fine after reaching his barn at Los Alamitos following a sixth-place result in last Saturday's Pennsylvania Derby.

"He came back fine," trainer Art Sherman said. "He looks good. He didn't have the greatest trip in the world, but we'll live to fight another day."

The chestnut colt, ridden by Victor Espinoza, was stuck on the rail in the 1 1/8-mile stakes won by Bayern.

"I was blocked a little bit," said Espinoza Tuesday morning. "They slowed down pretty good on the first turn (going the first quarter in a 24 seconds). That kind of hurt me right there.

"It was a little stressful for me because I wanted to let him go, but I had nowhere to go and no room to go. Nevertheless, he ran a good race, and for his being away for such a long time (since June 7 Belmont Stakes), things like that will happen. Now he has a month before his next race. I think he'll be 100 percent."

California Chrome was the 9-10 favorite versus seven rivals in the PA Derby. He broke from the inside post and raced third behind Bayern and C J's Awesome.

California Chrome is headed for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1 where he is likely to meet for the first time 2013 Eclipse Award winner Shared Belief. It's expected that meeting will decide this year's 3-year-old male champion.