‘Chrome’ versus Shared Belief highlights San Antonio

Arcadia, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Saturday’s $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita has drawn one of the most anticipated matchups in racing as reigning Horse of the Year California Chrome takes on former Eclipse Award winner Shared Belief in the 1 1/8-mile race.

A total of nine older thoroughbreds have been entered for the race, which serves as a prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap four weeks later.

California Chrome, winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness, is the 6-5 morning line favorite for the San Antonio while last year’s Pacific Classic winner Shared Belief is the 7-5 second choice. Both 4-year-olds will have the riding services of their regular jockeys; California Chrome will start from post 8 with Victor Espinoza and Shared Belief will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith from post 5.

“The way he’s going and the way he’s been working tells me he’s ready to go,” Victor Espinoza said about his mount. “I think he’s stronger this year. The way he feels when I work him, he’s bigger and more mature. From last year to this is a big difference. He’s been working really strong. I believe he’ll run as good as a 4-year-old as he did at three.”

Trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome begins 2015 with career earnings of $4,222,650 with nine wins in 16 starts.

The colt, owned by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, closed 2013 by winning the King Glorious Stakes, the final stakes ever run at Hollywood Park. He began 2014 with wins in Santa Anita’s Cal Cup Derby, San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby.

California Chrome nailed down the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but finished in a dead heat for fourth in the Belmont Stakes behind Bayern. Following time to regroup and rehabilitate, the colt was sixth to Bayern in the Pennsylvania Derby last September.

However, California Chrome had a good effort finishing third to Bayern in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and returned to the winner’s circle in Del Mar’s Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf last Nov. 29.

“He’ll be fresh and ready, I can tell you that,” trainer Art Sherman noted.

In addition to being 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome received the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old colt and gelding.

Shared Belief, trained by Hall of Fame member Jerry Hollendorfer who is also a co-owner, was the 2013 Eclipse Award winner as 2-year-old male. The gelding was undefeated through his first seven career starts until finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last November. He came back on Dec. 26 with a neck victory in the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita.

“He’s a very consistent horse,” said Hollendorfer.

Shared Belief has won eight of nine career starts for $2,032,200. The gelding was a finalist for the 3-year-old colt and gelding Eclipse Award.

Here is the complete field for the San Antonio Stakes from the rail out: Hoppertunity, Martin Garcia, 4-1; Tonito M., Rafael Bejarano, 15-1; You Know I Know, Drayden Van Dyke, 30-1; Imperative, Flavien Prat, 20-1; Shared Belief, Mike Smith, 7-5; Clubhouse Ride, Aaron Gryder, 30-1; Bronzo, Gary Stevens, 20-1; California Chrome, Victor Espinoza, 6-5 and Alfa Bird, Tyler Baze, 30-1.

The San Antonio will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1 with an approximate post time of 7 p.m. ET.

Categorized in: Horses