Bayern beats California Chrome in 35th PA Derby

Bensalem, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Bayern, the Haskell Invitational champ, set the pace and upset Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing.

California Chrome, making his first start since the Belmont Stakes on June 7, went off as the 9-10 favorite in the eight-horse field with Bayern the 7-2 second pick.

Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Garcia, Bayern got a great start in the 1 1/8-mile stakes with California Chrome breaking from the inside post and racing third along the inside.

Bayern continued to set a moderate pace as California Chrome remained along the rail up the backstretch, a place he’s not comfortable. C J’s Awesome was racing second.

Bayern opened his lead down the stretch and cruised to a 5 3/4-length victory leaving California Chrome up the track.

“I didn’t want to over-ride him today because he had a long break and the first time back,” California Chrome’s jockey Victor Espinoza said. “He’s still good and he will be coming back for the Breeders’ Cup and he’ll be a different horse.”

Finishing second was West Virginia Derby winner Tapiture with 5-1 third choice Candy Boy third and Noble Moon and C J’s Awesome in a dead heat for fourth. California Chrome was sixth followed by Protonico and Classic Giacnroll.

Bayern set a new track record for 1 1/8 miles by stopping the timer at 1:46.96 on a fast track.

“We’ll just enjoy this race,” Baffert assistant Jim Barnes noted. “Bob and Kaleem (owner Kaleem Shah) will get together and decide where Bayern will start next.”

Bayern, taking on ‘Chrome’ for the first time, won his second $1 million stakes to go along with his Haskell victory. The $562,000 boosts the colt’s earnings to $1,639,680 with five wins in nine career starts.

“A lot of kudos to Bob Baffert, Jimmy Barnes and Mike Marlowe, The Baffert team they do an incredible job. Kudos to them,” owner Kaleem Shah said.

Bayern was coming off a disappointing last in the 10-horse Travers four weeks ago. Prior to the Haskell, the colt won the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes by seven lengths on the Belmont Stakes program.

Bayern paid $9.00, $3.60 and $4.00. Tapiture returned $5.80 and $4.00, and Candy Boy paid $4.20 to show.

Categorized in: Horses