California Chrome , the national Horse of the Year for 2014, has added two more titles—champion 3-year-old California-bred male and champion Cal-bred turf horse.
He won those two titles overwhelmingly in voting by members of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He is one of three finalists for Cal-bred Horse of the Year, along with Alert Bay and Big Macher. All of the Cal-bred awards will be presented at the CTBA annual meeting and awards dinner Feb. 9 at The Westin in Pasadena, Calif.
Owned and bred by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, California Chrome became the first Cal-bred ever to win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I). Foaled at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., he is a son of Lucky Pulpit—Love the Chase, by Not for Love.
The California Chrome team will collect several other awards: Coburn and Martin as the 2014 leading breeders of California-foaled Thoroughbreds; Art Sherman as the California trainer of the year; Coburn and Martin's Love the Chase as California broodmare of the year; and Lucky Pulpit, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams, champion sire of California-conceived foals by earnings.
Other Cal-bred champions to be honored at the dinner include Big Macher, older male and sprinter; Acceptance, 2-year-old male; My Fiona, 2-year-old female; Rovenna, 3-year-old female; and Top Kisser, older female.
Bred by Ballena Vista Farm, Big Macher (Beau Genius--Insight, by Kris S.) is owned by Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables and trained by Richard Baltas. He won four stakes during 2014: the Bing Crosby Stakes (gr. I), Potrero Grande Stakes (gr. II), Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint, and Cary Grant Stakes.
My Fiona won three stakes at three different tracks—the CTBA Stakes at Del Mar, Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Santa Anita Park, and Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos. Terry Lovingier bred the daughter of Ghostzapper —A Vision in Gray, by Two Punch, and owns her with Tom Beckerle and Amanda Navarro. Walther Solis trains the filly.
Top Kisser also won three stakes, traveling throughout the state. At Santa Anita, she captured the L.A. Woman Stakes (gr. III) and Spring Fever Stakes, while at Sacramento she scored the California Governor's Cup Handicap. Jerry Hollendorfer trains the daughter of Old Topper—Cherokee Kiss, by Cherokee Run, for owner-breeder Tommy Town Thoroughbreds.
Acceptance was undefeated in three starts during 2014, those races including the Golden State Juvenile Stakes at Santa Anita and King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos. Bud and Judy Johnston bred the son of Vronsky—Allswellthatnswell, by Perfect Mandate, in the name of their Old English Rancho. They own the colt with Robert Riggio, and Don Warren trains him.
Rovenna won back-to-back stakes, the Evening Jewel and Melair Stakes, at Santa Anita. Donald Dizney bred and owns the daughter of Vronsky—Amadamprez, by Northern Afleet , and Michael Machowsky conditions her.
Other awards being presented at the CTBA dinner are: Unusual Heat, owned by the Unusual Heat Syndicate, champion sire of California-conceived foals by turf earnings; syndicated Papa Clem, champion sire of California-conceived 2-year-olds by earnings; and deceased Tribal Rule, champion sire of California-conceived foals by number of winners.
Also at the dinner, California Sen. Andy Vidak will receive the Sen. Ken Maddy Award, and Bruce Headley and Bertrando will be inducted into the CTBA Hall of Fame.
California Chrome
Benoit Photo