(Reuters) – The 140th Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs tomorrow and the early favourite has American race fans giddy with excitement.
California Chrome has been installed as the short-priced favourite to win the annual Run for the Roses after demolishing his opposition back in the Golden State.
The three-year-old has romped to victory in each of his past four starts, including the Santa Anita Derby, by a combined margin of more than 24 lengths.
His performances have raised hope this year’s race will produce another champion to emulate the likes of Secretariat and Seattle Slew by winning the Triple Crown.
California Chrome’s jockey, Victor Espinoza, has already won the Derby before, with War Emblem in 2002, while his 77-year-old conditioner Art Sherman is bidding to become the oldest winning trainer.
“He’s feeling good and he’s doing good,” a confident Sherman said, “He’s coming up to this race right.”
It has been 36 years since Affirmed, in 1978, became the last horse to complete the Triple Crown so the odds are still heavily stacked against California Chrome.
But bookmakers have been impressed by what they have seen so far from the chestnut, initially listing him at odds of 5-2 after he drew perfectly in barrier five for the 20-horse race.
