California Chrome wins the Kentucky Derby
Starting from the No. 6 post as a 2-1 favorite, California Chrome stayed close to the lead the entire race and poured it on down the stretch under jockey Victor Espinoza, winning easily in an unofficial time of 2:03.66.
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- California Chrome (5,) ridden by Victor Espinoza, leads the field out of the fourth turn enroute to winning the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome (5,) ridden by Victor Espinoza, pulls away from Chitu (13,) ridden by Martin Garcia, coming out of the fourth turn enroute to winning the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome with Victor Espinoza leads the field to the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome with Victor Espinoza up crosses the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome (5,) ridden by Victor Espinoza, crosses the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome with Victor Espinoza up crosses the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome jockey Victor Espinoza (5) celebrates winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchhill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports)
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- Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates atop of California Chrome (5) after crossing the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome with Victor Espinoza up crosses the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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- California Chrome jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Mark Zerof/USA Today Sports)
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- Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome (5) takes a victory lap after winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Jamie Rhodes/USA Today Sports)
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- Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates atop of California Chrome (5) after crossing the finish line to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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- Victor Espinoza aboard California Chrome (5) celebrates after winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports)
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- Victor Espinoza celebrates in the winners circle after riding California Chrome (5) to victory in the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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- Jockey Victor Espinoza celebrates with the trophy in the winners circle after guiding California Chrome (5) to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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- Owners Denise Martin (left) and Steve Coburn celebrate with the trophy in the winners circle after jockey Victor Espinoza guided California Chrome (5) to win the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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- Victor Espinoza (left) and trainer Art Sherman in the winner’s circle after California Chrome wins the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. (Jamie Rhodes/USA Today Sports)
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- Patrons look at official programs and check messages on their phones before the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)
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- Fans dance in the infield before the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)
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- Tractors rake the track before the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)
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- Patrons make their way to the infield through a tunnel before the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)
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- A patron walks past an advertisement board to the infield before the 2014 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)
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- A race fan wearing a festive hat attends the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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- Horse race during the 5th race ahead of the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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- A horse and jockey walk past the twin spires prior to the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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- A detailed view of and out rider’s horse and the Derby logo prior to the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Commanding Curve came in second while Danza finished third. The second-choice coming in, Wicked Strong, was a respectable fourth.
California Chrome, a chestnut colt, is the first California bred to win the Derby since 1962. He was the fastest horse coming in and also, perhaps, the best story.
The three-year-old had romped to victory in each of his past four starts, including the Santa Anita Derby, by a combined margin of more than 24 lengths.
His performances have raised hope this year’s race will produce another champion to emulate the likes of Secretariat and Seattle Slew by winning the Triple Crown.
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