San Diego Handicap: California Chrome vs. Dortmund
What began as a seven horse race, the field for today’s San Diego Handicap at Del Mar has now been reduced down to just five runners who will compete for $200,000 purse in the G2 1 1/16 miles feature on the card.
On paper (and in reality) it’s California Chrome’s race to lose as he’ll open as the 3-5 favorite over his nearest rival, and second in the morning line at an interesting 7-5, Dortmund who’ll be making his first start of the year for trainer Bob Baffert.
The field is rounded out by Win the Space (Smith, 6-1), and Follow Me Crev (Quinonez) and Crittenden (Garcia) both at 20-1.
California Chrome Comes Home
2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome returns to his southern California base after winning his last two races in the UAE including the G1 Dubai World Cup in March, making him the richest money winning horse of all-time with more than $12 million in earnings.
He’ll be cutting back in distance for the first time since winning the G2 San Pasqual in January at Santa Anita.
In today’s San Diego, he’ll return to running on Lasix which doesn’t seem to make a difference when it comes to his success on the track as his two wins in Dubai were impressive without it.
He has one win at Del Mar when he won a $100K sprint going 5 1/2 vs. California bred’s in July of ’13 when Del Mar was still running on a synthetic surface. He’s 3 for 3 at the distance and sitting on a :59.20 5F bullet work a week ago and will carry high weight of 126.
Dortmund, who was competitive in his only two losses from 10 starts when third in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness behind Triple Crown winner American Pharoah last year, returns off back to back wins including the G3 Native Diver here last November. He’ll carry 121 pounds and jockey Gary Stevens as he’ll again face a Derby and Preakness winner in Chrome.
