California Chrome is the winner of the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby. The 2 to 1 favorite as he entered the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, the odds weren’t in this horse’s favor. He is trained by a 77-year-old man named Art Sherman who never trained a Kentucky Derby horse before. In addition California Chrome never raced outside of California–his home state. To top off the unusual win, the horse is owned by a couple of guys who call their stable ‘Dumb Ass Partnership.’
No one ever said dumb asses couldn’t win–right? California Chrome more than proved that on Saturday evening. Coming in for a second place finish at the Kentucky Derby was Commanding Curve.
There are two guys named Danza in the Paddock right now… @TonyDanza @EclipseTBP #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/2J62cbi2Je
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2014
Danza–named after actor Tony Danza–came in third place.
California Chrome wins the #KyDerby!! pic.twitter.com/m4Yx00uiJk
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2014
The win marked the second for California Chrome’s jockey Victor Espinoza. It also means Art Sherman is now the oldest trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby.
“He gave me the biggest thrill I’ve ever had in my life,” Sherman said following the exciting win.
Art Sherman on California Chrome: “He gave me the biggest thrill I ever had in my life.” #KyDerby
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2014
Dumb Asses Steve Coburn and Perry Martin (do you think they use that title?) were offered $6 million for 51 percent ownership of California Chrome prior to the Kentucky Derby today, but they turned the offer down, hoping instead for a Kentucky Derby win.
And they got it, too, along with $1.4 million. That definitely makes them smart asses instead–right?
“We’ll see you all in Maryland, and then we’ll see you all in New York,” Coburn told NBC after the race, referring to the Preakness Stakes in Maryland and Belmont Stakes in New York, the final two legs of horse racing’s Triple Crown. “Yes, we’re going. We’re going. Why not?”
Congratulations to Dumb Ass Stables owners Coburn and Perry, along with trainer Art Sherman–but most of all to California Chrome who is the new Kentucky Derby victor.
Image via Twitter