If there were any notions that California Chrome would have an easy return to the races after winning two thirds of the Triple Crown, those can be put to rest as the KY Derby and Preakness hero will have to overcome some considerable variables and beat another accomplished field of three-year olds in the $1 million Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby September 20 at Parx.
California Chrome drew the rail for the mile and an eighth race and is the even money favorite with seven runners lined up to compete against him. The Art Sherman trainee has been idle since the Belmont Stakes in June, and will likely have to overcome some racing rust as well as the unfavorable post while proving again that he can run his best race despite shipping across the country. California Chrome will use the race as his only prep for the BC Classic.
Haskell winner Bayern (7/2 ML) figures to be formidable once again for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The speedster ran unexpectedly poor last time out finishing tenth in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, and was trounced the last time he met California Chrome finishing a dismal ninth-place in the Preakness. Still, Bayern has proven to be a dangerous horse when he can get loose on the lead and could have things his own way.
Tapiture (5/1 ML) has started to show why he was so highly regarded by many last spring. The Steve Asmussen trainee has paired stakes victories in the Grade 3 Matt Winn and Grade 2 West Virginia Derby in his last two starts and figures to be tough once again.
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