Senate Resolution No. 53

Introduced by Senators Correa, Vidak, Berryhill, Cannella, Galgiani, Lara, Nielsen, Padilla, and Torres

June 26, 2014

Senate Resolution No. 53—Relative to California Chrome.

WHEREAS, California has a long and proud thoroughbred
racing history, dating back some 160 years. In particular, the
Central Valley has been the birthplace of champions since the
1880s. California Chrome, born and raised at Harris Farms in
Coalinga, continues that tradition and has become an outstanding
representative of his namesake state; and

WHEREAS, California horse racing today accounts for an
estimated 50,000 jobs, 148,000 thoroughbred horses, and a $2.5
billion impact on the state’s economy. Combining athleticism,
grace, beauty, and speed, this sport reaches millions of fans
worldwide and carries priceless positive impressions of what
California has to offer; and

WHEREAS, The Kentucky Derby is the world’s most famous
horse race and part of the celebrated Triple Crown of thoroughbred
racing for three-year-old horses only. Along with the Preakness
and Belmont Stakes, these three classics are the races that horse
owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys all dream of winning; and

WHEREAS, This spring, California Chrome won the 140th
Kentucky Derby and 139th Preakness Stakes, the first time a
California-bred colt swept the first two legs of the Triple Crown.
Both victories ended lengthy droughts for the state’s racing
industry. California Chrome became the fourth California-born
Derby winner and first since 1962 and California’s fifth Preakness
winner and first since 1986; and

WHEREAS, It takes a very special horse to reach national
prominence by winning multiple races at multiple tracks across
the country. In his career so far, California Chrome has won races
at California’s Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Santa Anita Park,
in addition to Kentucky’s Churchill Downs and Maryland’s Pimlico
Race Course at distances from 41⁄2 furlongs to 11⁄4 miles; and

WHEREAS, Among California Chrome’s eight career victories
there was a six-stakes win streak featuring such milestones as the
King Glorious Stakes, the final stakes event held at Hollywood
Park, and the $1 million Santa Anita Derby as well as the Kentucky
Derby and the Preakness Stakes; and

WHEREAS, California Chrome, a chestnut-colored horse as
golden as his home state, transcended thoroughbred horse racing
to become an international phenomenon not just with his brilliant
speed and winning ways, but due to his heart-warming story and
the people who make up his team; and

WHEREAS, California is a state where people are unafraid to
dream big and that’s in part what inspired four fans to cross over
into horse ownership and become first-time breeders. An
inspiration to the “little guys” everywhere, Perry and Denise Martin
of Yuba City and Steve and Carolyn Coburn of Topaz Lake,
Nevada, became partners in a mare, Love the Chase, who they
bought from a syndicate for $8,000. After someone scoffed at their
perceived foolishness, the couples named their new venture “Dumb
Ass Partners (D.A.P.) Racing”; and

WHEREAS, The partners sent their lone mare to Harris Farms
to be bred and chose the stallion Lucky Pulpit, owned by Mr. and
Mrs. Larry Williams. California Chrome is Love the Chase’s first
foal. Before the colt was born, Steve Coburn vividly dreamed about
the big chestnut colt with four white legs and distinctive blaze and
felt sure the newborn was destined for greatness; and

WHEREAS, After a difficult birth, the mare was nursed back
to health by the excellent and attentive veterinary staff at Harris
Farms. This hands-on care also imprinted a love for people on her
intelligent and precocious son nicknamed “Junior.” Developing
his mind and body, California Chrome spent his first two years at
Harris Farms, where he was groomed to be a racehorse; and

WHEREAS, When it came time to start racing, the partners sent
their only racehorse to trainer Art Sherman with the proclamation
that this was “his Derby horse” and a suggested road map of races
to qualify. Sherman’s prior Derby experience was as the exercise
rider for California-bred 1955 Kentucky Derby winner Swaps.
Coincidentally, California Chrome is Swaps’ great-great-great-great
grandson; and

WHEREAS, California Chrome, as he prepared for the Triple
Crown trail, gained his foundation and experience in the lucrative
Golden State Series for Cal-bred horses, confirming the value and
significance of the state’s breeding program; and

WHEREAS, Art Sherman, at age 77, became the oldest trainer
to win the Kentucky Derby. California Chrome also became the
first Derby and Preakness winner trained at Los Alamitos Race
Course in Cypress, California; and

WHEREAS, Success is the result of teamwork and California
Chrome’s campaign is no exception. Jockey Victor Espinoza
guided the colt to those six straight stakes wins. Assistant trainer
Alan Sherman served as his father’s right-hand man and
accompanied their Triple Crown candidate for six weeks on the
road; and

WHEREAS, Groom Raul Rodriguez became California
Chrome’s constant companion, attending to his every need.
Exercise rider Willie Delgado made sure the colt paid attention to
his morning lessons; and

WHEREAS, California Chrome’s Triple Crown bid fell short
when he injured a hoof at the start of the 146th Belmont Stakes,
yet valiantly finished tied for fourth only 13⁄4 lengths from victory.
That loss did not diminish his amazing accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, In any sport, it takes an extraordinary athlete to
become a household name. California Chrome joined a short list
of such equine superstars as Seabiscuit and Secretariat with
cross-over appeal and the ability to make new fans as evidenced
by his thousands of “Chromies”; and

WHEREAS, California Chrome became, as Art Sherman said,
a “California rock star” and the latest example that California
dreams can come true; and

WHEREAS, California Chrome’s grit, determination, and heart
carried him far beyond this state; it made California Chrome
“America’s horse”; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
recognizes the outstanding performance of California Chrome
during his remarkable run for thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple
Crown, and, in particular, for his tremendous victories in the
Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and congratulates the many
Californians who are part of the ownership group, breeding and
training cadre, and other essential elements that led to the success
of California Chrome; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the storied history of
thoroughbred horse racing in California, and its important
contributions to job creation and the state’s economy that result
from a vibrant California thoroughbred horse racing industry; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.