California Chrome and Victor Espinoza: Kentucky Derby Purse, Pedigree Info, More

In one of the most dominant performances of the last decade, betting favorite California Chrome and veteran jockey Victor Espinoza stole the show at Churchill Downs by winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby.

After claiming victory in each of the four previous races coming into the Derby and winning easily on Saturday, the focus for most horse racing fans has shifted to the Preakness Stakes and California Chrome’s quest for the Triple Crown.

Here are the purse for the winner, the pedigree info and a focus on California Chrome and his jockey Victor Espinoza.

Finish	Horse	Owner	Trainer	Jockey	Purse
First	California Chrome	Steve and Carolyn Coburn & Perry and Denise Martin	Art Sherman	Victor Espinoza	$1,442,800

Breaking Down California Chrome and Victor Espinoza

The victory on Saturday doesn’t come as much of a shock to horse racing fans, but the way he dominated the field is further proof that this is a horse who will be a viable challenger when it comes to both the second and third legs of the Triple Crown.

After dominating at Churchill Downs, California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza will be looking to win at both the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes to become the first Triple Crown winners since 1978 (Affirmed).

The Kentucky Derby’s official Twitter account shared trainer Art Sherman’s reaction to California Chrome’s victory on Saturday:

ESPN’s stat department came up with some interesting notes on the victory as well:

Unlike many of the other Kentucky Derby winners, California Chrome’s journey to the victory at Churchill Downs was not glamorous.

The horse’s owners, Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, had low expectations when they “bred an $8,000 mare to a $2,500 stallion,” according to Beth Harris of The Associated Press (via ABC News), but the results are undeniable.

No one expected the combination of mare Love the Chase and stallion Lucky Pulpit to produce the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner, but Martin and Coburn surrounded the horse with a trainer like Art Sherman, and the rest is history.

Now the team looks toward the rest of the Triple Crown.

With Espinoza riding California Chrome in each of the last five races, the duo remains unbeaten since joining forces. Not only did the tandem win the Kentucky Derby, but it also won the Santa Anita Derby, San Felipe Stakes, California Cup Derby and King Glorious Stakes.

Momentum is squarely on the shoulders of California Chrome and his team.

Triple Crown Prediction: Win at Preakness Stakes and Win at Belmont Stakes

*Stats via HorseRacingNation.com.

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