139th Preakness Stakes

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 17, 2014

139th Preakness Stakes

California Chrome wins Preakness

SI's best photos from the Preakness Stakes, where California Chrome, second from right, won to set up a Triple Crown try in three weeks. .

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome defeated Ride On Curlin by 1½ lengths at Pimlico, covering 1 3/16 miles in 1:54.84.

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome has won six straight races by a combined 27½ lengths for 77-year-old trainer Art Sherman.

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome bounced out of the gate running, with jockey Victor Espinoza moving the colt into the clear. Pablo Del Monte, a 34-1 shot, charged to the lead and was soon joined by filly Ria Antonia.

California Chrome wins Preakness

Espinoza tucked California Chrome into third, an ideal spot behind the leaders. They stayed there until making their move approaching the final turn.

California Chrome wins Preakness

Ride On Curlin, next-to-last in the 10-horse field, ranged up and briefly appeared ready to overtake California Chrome. Once again showing his class, California Chrome denied the threat.

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome paid $3, $3 and $2.40. Ride On Curlin returned $5.60 and $3.80, while Social Inclusion was another 6½ lengths back in third and paid $3.40 as the 5-1 second choice.

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome became the first California-bred to win the Preakness since Snow Chief in 1986.

California Chrome wins Preakness

The chestnut colt with the four white feet will attempt to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, something that hasn't been done since Affirmed in 1978.

California Chrome wins Preakness

Since 1978, 12 horses have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown and failed to complete the sweep; the last was I'll Have Another two years ago.

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome's winning time of 1:54.84 was the fastest at the Preakness in seven years.

California Chrome wins Preakness

California Chrome started from the third post position.

California Chrome wins Preakness

While the three horses to his right got bunched up quickly, California Chrome got off to a clean start.

California Chrome wins Preakness

Nothing in this race went according to plan. The dangerous speed horse was supposed to be Social Inclusion, but the colt never charged for the lead. He settled in behind California Chrome in fourth place and let longshot Pablo Del Monte and Ria Antonia, the filly, set the pace.