California Chrome Now One Win From History

California Chrome won the Preakness today to keep alive his bid to capture horse racing's Triple Crown. As a follow-up to his victory in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Art Sherman's horse justified his stature as the overwhelming favorite by outrunning Ride On Curlin to the finish today. Ridden again by jockey Victor Espinoza, he covered the 1 3-16th mile course in 1:54.84. Ride On Curlin finished second and Social Inclusion took third.

It was the first Preakness victory for the 77-year-old trainer, and it gave California Chrome his sixth straight win. The chestnut colt is the first California-bred horse to win the Preakness since Snow Chief in 1986. With a victory in the Belmont on June 7, California Chrome would become the 11th Triple Crown winner in horse racing history and the first since Affirmed in 1978. (More California Chrome stories.)