Victor Espinoza was so impressed by the return of California Chrome at Del Mar on Saturday night that he cannot envisage defeat against star mare Beholder in the Pacific Classic next month at the same racecourse.
California Chrome threw down the gauntlet to Beholder with a gutsy performance in the San Diego Handicap, the 1,800-metre contest in which the Dubai World Cup winner wore down the hulking Dortmund.
Gary Stevens set slow fractions of 23.47 seconds and 47.02s through the first 800 metres on Dortmund, before Espinoza loomed up on the 2014 US Horse of the Year to take the lead entering the stretch. He was never headed and won by half a length despite giving his rival 5lbs. California Chrome became the first horse since Curlin in 2008 to back up his success in the world’s most valuable race with a win.
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It was Dortmund's first run since November, but before the clash trainer Art Sherman stated that California Chrome was no better than 85 per cent fit on his first start since Meydan in March.
Espinoza is looking forward to the rematch with Dortmund on August 20, where the two colts will go hoof-to-hoof with defending Pacific Classic champion Beholder.
"She is an unbelievable filly and I really don't think there is another filly that can beat her, but I don't think she will be any competition for California Chrome," Espinoza told The National over the phone from Del Mar.
“He is on a different level to her and I’m not worried about taking her on at all.
“Chrome is the highest-earning North American horse of all time and it’s not for nothing.
“Sure California Chrome has been beaten, but each time I felt he was either just short of full fitness or something was up.
“Things were rough in the Belmont Stakes for him and I should have ridden him harder in the Pennsylvania Derby before the Breeders’ Cup. I think he was a little short for that race.
“California Chrome is a different horse now and has been ever since he went to Taylor Made Farm. When he got back from England he looked like an anorexic.
“I know Beholder beat the boys in the Pacific Classic last year but there was nothing in that race like California Chrome. I may be wrong but I can’t see how she will beat him.”
It was Sherman’s first success in the US$200,000 (Dh734,520) handicap, and the 79-year-old handler is looking forward to a series of clashes between the three horses that could go all the way to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November.
“They both ran terrific,” he told reporters after the race. “I tell you, Dortmund made him work for it. It’s going to be an interesting few races coming up. Dortmund is a really game horse. I think both horses needed a race and you’ll see two stronger horses coming back in the Pacific Classic.
“What can I say? He’s just Chrome, a wonderful horse to be around.”
Trainer Richard Mandella was due to give Beholder a workout at Del Mar on Sunday morning, after he chose to postpone a piece of exercise slated for Saturday after three horses were injured – Whisky And Wine fatally – at morning trackwork. Later on Saturday Dutchessa, ridden by Joe Talamo, collapsed after the finish line in the second race on the card reportedly having broken both sesamoids in her front legs and was euthanised.
Beholder’s gallop is in preparation for the US$300,000 Clement L Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on Saturday, a race she won by seven lengths last season.
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