Unser Chat » Ride On Curlin, Medal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A horse with a humble pedigree. A couple of working stiff owners. A 77-year-old trainer with his first Kentucky Derby horse. Even Hollywood couldnt have made this up. California Chrome made it look easy on Saturday, pulling away down the stretch to win the Derby by 1 3/4 lengths. In a sport dominated by wealthy owners and regally bred horses from Kentuckys bluegrass country, this was a victory for the little guys. Owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn bred an $8,000 mare to a $2,500 stallion to produce the winner of the worlds most famous race with their one-horse stable. "This is just a dream come true and a great birthday present," said Coburn, who turned 61 on Saturday. California Chrome ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.66 and paid $7, $5.60 and $4.20. The chestnut colt was sent off as the 5-2 favourite by the crowd of 164,906, the second-largest in the Derbys 140-year history. His trainer, Art Sherman, became the oldest trainer to win the Derby, 59 years after he travelled from California as an exercise rider for Derby winner Swaps. He watched that race from the barn area; this time he smelled red roses in the winners circle. Sherman was all smiles after the race. "He gave me the biggest thrill I ever had in my life," he said. California Chrome has the unlikeliest pedigree for a Derby champion. His mother, named Love the Chase, won just one race. She was purchased by Coburn and Martin, a move that prompted a trainer to call them "dumb asses" for getting involved in racing. Feeling inspired, they named their operation DAP Racing, which stands for Dumb Ass Partners. Their silks include an image of a donkey. Coburn lives near Reno, Nevada, rising at 4:30 a.m. for his job as a press operator at a 13-employee company that makes magnetic strips for credit cards and driver licenses. Martin lives on the California side of the border near Reno, running a laboratory that tests high-reliability equipment, like car air bags and medical equipment. Coburn and Martins partnership is based on a handshake, and their wives are friends who enjoy the sport, too. The group came up with California Chromes name by drawing it out of a hat. The horse hadnt even been out of his home state until this week. "Sometimes you dont get a lot of respect," Sherman said. "Were in Kentucky and you know most of the Derby winners are bred here and few outside of Kentucky." Sherman visited Swaps grave near the Derby museum earlier in the week and whispered a prayer: "I hope hes another Swaps." He sure was. California Chrome extended his winning streak to five races, won by a combined 26 lengths. It was the second Derby win for Espinoza, who rode War Emblem to victory in 2002. "I thought he rode him perfect," said Sherman, a former jockey. "I was riding the last 70 yards with Victor, so I think he was riding two. He had a lot of weight on him, I can tell you that." We Miss Artie, bred by Richard Lister of Toronto, placed 10th. Espinoza had California Chrome sitting comfortably in third in the 19-horse field as Uncle Sigh and Chitu set the early pace. California Chrome made his move on the final turn in tandem with Samraat. It looked like those two would decide the outcome, until California Chrome sped away to become the first California-bred to win the Derby since Decidedly in 1962. "This horse has so much talent," Espinoza said. "By the three-eighths pole I knew that was it. I could see other horses struggling a little bit, and he was just smooth." Dale Romans, who trained eighth-place Medal Count, quickly changed his tune about California Chrome after believing the colt had no chance to win. "Im very impressed the way he came into it, the way he looked, the way he was prepared and the way he ran," Romans said. "Now he has a new fan." Commanding Curve, a 37-1 shot, rallied for second, with Danza third. Wicked Strong was fourth and Samraat finished fifth. Commanding Curve returned $31.80 and $15.40, giving trainer Dallas Stewart his second straight runner-up finish with a double-digit longshot. Danza, named for actor Tony Danza of "Whos the Boss?" fame, paid $6 to show as the 8-1 third choice. Trainer Todd Pletcher came up empty with his four starters, finishing third with Danza, 10th with We Miss Artie, 12th with Intense Holiday, and 17th with Vinceremos. Wicked Strong, the 6-1 second choice, was fourth. Samraat was fifth, followed by Dance With Fate, Ride On Curlin, Medal Count, Chitu, We Miss Artie, General a Rod, Intense Holiday, Candy Boy, Uncle Sigh, Tapiture, Harrys Holiday, Vinceremos, and Wildcat Red. Vicars In Trouble, ridden by Rosie Napravnik, finished last. Before the Derby, Coburn had told anyone who would listen that California Chrome "would go down in history." He remains just as unabashed. "I believe this horse will win the Triple Crown," he said, something that hasnt been done since 1978, when Affirmed swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont in a five-week span. "Thats where were going." Stanley Cup Jersey .Y. - Carey Price had an early feeling that one goal might be enough to settle the latest matchup between his Montreal Canadiens and longtime Original Six foe, the New York Rangers. Charles Hudon Jersey .com) - The Eastern Conferences best team takes on one of its worst Tuesday night when the Atlanta Hawks pay a visit to the Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. http://www.officialcanadiensfanstore.com/authentic-mats-naslund-canadiens-jersey/ . -- Zach Johnson is like most players at the World Challenge, not sure whether hes still playing in 2013 or if hes in the middle of the new wraparound season that officially started in October. Brendan Gallagher Jersey . Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion on Sunday. Tomas Plekanec Jersey . It was the quickest three-goal sequence in Olympic history, with the latter two coming just eight seconds apart. Kessel, Lamoureux and Kendall Coyne all scored twice for the Americans, and Molly Schaus made 10 saves in her Sochi debut. NEW YORK -- Henrik Lundqvist earned his 300th NHL victory and 49th career shutout in the New York Rangers 3-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Lundqvist made 30 saves in shutting out the Red Wings for the second time this season, as New York completed a three-game season sweep of its Original Six rival. The Swedish goalie is one win shy of tying Mike Richters franchise record of 301. He caught Rangers great Ed Giacomin for the club mark in shutouts. Lundqvist was serenaded by the crowd with chants of "Hen-rik, Hen-rik" in the games final minute. Brian Boyle scored in the first period and Chris Kreider had two third-period goals for the Rangers, who won their second straight after an 0-2-1 skid and moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division -- one point ahead of Philadelphia. Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh both assisted on each of Kreiders goals. Jimmy Howard stopped 28 shots for the Red Wings, who have lost three of four (1-2-1). Kreider provided all the insurance Lundqvist would need for his milestone win. He made it 2-0 just 14 seconds into the third by deflecting in McDonaghs shot from the left point and pushed the lead to three goals at 12:12, beating Howard with a shot as he drove down the left wing for his 16th this season. The Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the first period after the Red Wings seemingly made a good defensive play. New York rushed the puck up ice, and defenceman John Moore wound up for a shot inside the blue line that was blocked by Detroit forwaard Daniel Alfredsson.dddddddddddd But the puck deflected into the slot to Boyle, who spun and sent a drive that beat Howard at 5:14 for his fifth goal of the season. It was New Yorks first traditional 5-on-5 goal in three games. Both Rangers tallies in Wednesdays loss to Toronto were short-handed goals by defenceman McDonagh. In Fridays victory at Tampa Bay, McDonagh scored another short-handed goal, Derek Stepan connected on a power play, Rick Nash scored during 4-on-4 play, and Carl Hagelin sealed the win with an empty-netter. The second period didnt provide much as the teams combined for just 16 shots -- nine by the Rangers, who had a 21-18 edge through 40 minutes. New York put on late pressure but was held at bay by Howard through a flurry in the crease in the final seconds of the period. Lundqvist was sharp throughout, even shaking it off when he was covered by the net, which was tipped over from behind when Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader checked Rangers defenceman Anton Stralman into the back of the cage late in the second. The Red Wings did little with two power plays in the middle frame and recorded only three total shots in their first three advantages of the game. NOTES: Lundqvist beat Detroit 1-0 on Jan. 16. ... Red Wings C Pavel Datsyuk missed his fourth straight game as he continues to rest his ailing left knee. ... Detroit has lost four straight to the Rangers, dating to Feb. 7, 2011. ... Howard was called for roughing against Benoit Pouliot in the third period. 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