California Chrome pegged as favorite

ARCADIA, Calif. - California Chrome gets a chance to solidify his status as the West’s leading Kentucky Derby candidate when he runs Saturday as the 6-5 early favorite in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby.

The colt drew the No. 5 post Wednesday in the field of eight for the 1 1/8-mile race. He has won his past three races by a combined 19 lengths.

Trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome is coming off a 7 ¼-length victory in the San Felipe Stakes on March 8. He led all the way in running 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.59, second-fastest in the race’s 77 years, under Victor Espinoza.

“All systems are go,” said Sherman, who has been in horse racing for more than 50 years but hasn’t had a horse as good as this one. “He’s doing everything right.”

Sherman said California Chrome’s owners turned down a $6 million offer to buy the horse. The colt has five victories from nine career starts and earnings of $534,850.

Rebel Stakes winner Hoppertunity was listed at 3-1 odds and drew the No. 3 post for trainer Bob Baffert, who is seeking a record seventh victory in the race. Hoppertunity has two victories in four starts and earnings of $410,720.

WOOD MEMORIAL Social Inclusion favorite

NEW YORK - Social Inclusion is the 2-1 morning line favorite despite drawing the outside post for Saturday’s $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

Social Inclusion faces 10 rivals in the 1 1/8 miles Wood, his stakes debut. The colt, trained by Manny Azpurua, will make only his third start following a pair of very fast victories this year at Gulfstream Park.

Sports, Pages 20 on 04/03/2014

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