Remember California Chrome? The horse that barraged out of the west coast to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes before turning toward the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown? He ran fourth in the Belmont.
No matter. A year later American Pharoah stepped on the track and delivered up racing’s Grand Slam: the Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Breeders Cup. Racing fans screamed until hoarse.
What about California Chrome? In 2016 a fabulous 5-year old colt, he just sashayed off with $10M after winning the Dubai World Cup. Jockey Victor Espinoza in the irons, stayed balanced and guided Chrome to victory by five lengths—despite a slipping saddle. A star-athletic team performance by horse and rider by any standard.
Meantime, in Arkansas, Oaklawn Park, jockey Calvin Borel dismounted. At 50-years old, after guiding four mounts to Triple Crown victories, he said the big R word—retirement. Some folks say bet the jock, not the horse. Thanks Calvin for the good times at the betting window.
In the end, everything said and done, gotta smile. After all, it’s a horse racing.
