California Chrome Outduels Dortmund in Memorable San Diego Handicap

California Chrome beat Dortmund by a half-length Saturday at Del Mar in the Grade 2 $200,000 San Diego Handicap, the 1 1/16-mile prep for the Grade I $1 million Pacific Classic on August 20. 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.

Dortmund, piloted by Gary Stevens, went to the front shortly after the break, but was hounded by California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza, who never allowed their rival to take a breather.

“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. I found California Chrome resting comfortably in his stall, being offered a few cookies by assistant trainer, Alan Sherman, while groom Raul Rodriquez went about his process of cleaning up the stable area.

The field also includes 2015 Santa Anita Derby victor Dortmund, Hard Aces, Soi Phet, Crittenden, Follow Me Crev and Win the Space.

“Things were rough in the Belmont Stakes for him and I should have ridden him harder in the Pennsylvania Derby before the Breeders’ Cup”.

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. This horse was carrying a lot of weight.

“What a terrific comeback race for him”.

But Sherman Racing has more than just their “big horse” at Del Mar, and with four additional horses to work, I strode out to the grandstand with trainer Art Sherman, where he took up position to watch his trainees.

Today’s Group Two victory was California Chrome’s 13th win from 22 starts and his fourth in a row since an injury-enforced lay-off.

California Chrome finished in 1:40.84 and paid $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Dortmund paid $2.40 and $2.10, while Win the Space returned $2.10 to show.

In the afternoon’s supporting feature, the $201,725 San Clemente Handicap for three-year-old fillies, Mokat and jockey Kent Desormeaux collaborated to score a decisive victory, by nearly four lengths, in 1:35.23 for the mile over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course.