California Chrome wins Preakess to keep Triple Crown bid alive

By Beth Harris | The Associated Press
January 08 2025 11:11 PM

CP28407788 — California Chrome, ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, wins the 139th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 17, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

BALTIMORE – California Chrome has won the Preakness to keep alive his bid to capture horse racing’s Triple Crown.

As a follow-up to his victory in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Art Sherman’s horse justified his stature as the overwhelming favourite by outrunning Ride On Curlin to the finish Saturday.

He covered the 1 3-16th mile course in 1:54.84.

Ride On Curlin finished second and Social Inclusion took third.

It was the first Preakness victory for the 77-year-old trainer. California Chrome has won six straight races.

The chestnut colt is the first California-bred horse to win the Preakness since Snow Chief in 1986.

With a victory in the Belmont on June 7, California Chrome will become the 11th Triple Crown winner in horse racing history and the first since Affirmed in 1978.

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