California Chrome and Kentucky Derby 2014

 This year's Kentucky Derby is fast approaching, and will occur on May 3, the first Saturday in May. As the date draws near, racing fans begin to wonder whether this will be the year we will have the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. With the recent Santa Anita Derby, a favorite had already been picked for the Derby: California Chrome.

 California Chrome is a chestnut colt sired by the 2001 Lucky Pulpit, a sprinter that won in mostly short races. His 2006 dam, Love the Chase, has names like Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector in her pedigree, and other horses that suggest she may have passed stamina onto her son. For those of you who are interested, here is his pedigree.

California Chrome credit

 California Chrome has only raced ten times, but placed first in six of those races. He broke his maiden in only his second race before running a few stakes races. In the William L. Proctor Memorial Stakes, he placed fifth. He next won the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar, placing sixth in his next two races, and ending his season with a victory at the King Glorious Stakes. This year, he has won all three of his races: the California Cup Derby, the San Felipe Stakes, and most recently, the Santa Anita Derby.

The second betting favorite is Vicar's in Trouble, whose sire is the 2005 Into Mischief, a stallion who did well as a two-year-old but was injured as a three-year-old. Nevertheless, he is becoming a successful sire. Vibrant is his 2002 dam. She raced a few times, winning a short sprints. His pedigree also includes stop the Music, Affirmed, Bold Ruler, Mr. Prospector, and Secretariat.

 Vicar's in Trouble has raced five times, winning three of then and placing third in the other two. He too broke his maiden on his second race, going on to win the LeComte Stakes in his first race this year. He came third in the Risen Star Stakes, but won his most recent race, the Louisiana Derby.

 Other Kentucky Derby prospects include Wicked Strong, Samraat, Constitution, Hoppertunity, Intense Holiday, Wild Cat Red, We Miss Artie, Chitu, Midnight Hawk, Ring Weekend, and more. I'm excited to see how this year's Derby turns out.

 Also, in other news, I got a dressage book for my birthday today, so once I am done with it, I will review it on my blog.