Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

California Chrome draws No. 3 position for Preakness

Trainer Art Sherman doesn't think the 3 post position will be a problem for the 3-5 favorite and Kentucky Derby winner.

AFTER THE Kentucky Derby draw, there was some concern that favorite California Chrome might be surrounded by all the speed to his outside. By the time the field had gone 200 yards, Chrome was sitting third in solid position, 16 horses behind him.

After yesterday's Preakness draw at Pimlico, there is at least a chance that the Derby's potential scenario could actually happen. Or Chrome, drawn into post 3 in the 10-horse field, might be so fast and so versatile that, even though there is definite speed to his outside and potential speed to his inside, he will find a way to get good position by the finish line, 330 yards from the starting gate, position so good that everybody will just be waiting for him to unleash that "move" when he heads for the finish line the second time.

"I don't think the 3 post position will be any hindrance to him," Chrome trainer Art Sherman said. "We got all the speed on the outside . . . It's a good, long run into the first turn, so we should be in a good position by the time we hit the first turn."

Since Tabasco Cat won the 1994 Preakness from Post 1, the inside three posts are 0-for-57 in the race. That sounds daunting until you realize there were just seven contenders in those posts and just one favorite, Derby winner Orb from the 1 post last year. Orb was a never-in-it fourth, but he did not run a good race the rest of the year anyway. Mine That Bird (2 post) ran brilliantly in 2009, but could not catch the eventual Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

If jockey Victor Espinoza gets Chrome into his usual comfortable position, he will be very difficult to beat. He also will be tracked by the other nine jockeys.

"I think he'll have a big target on his back," Sherman said. "I know, being a former rider, when you know you got the favorite down inside, you're going to try to put a little pressure on him. He's overcome pressure before."

The CC winning streak stands at five. The Derby winner is the 3-5 morning-line favorite in the Preakness. Just like the Derby, the first few hundred yards will be quite important. If the favorite comes out of the first turn in a good spot, get ready for another show.