Derby Trail/Triple Crown Notebook

[pmayjr]

I don't think California Chrome will win the Santa Anita Derby either. I think Sherman didn't wanna enter him, but he knows an 8 week layoff into the Derby is too long. So he felt forced to. I'm not saying the race is just a paid workout for California Chrome, but I think if he gets into a pace duel or a battle in the stretch, I think Victor Espinoza will be instructed to not exert him too much here. The goal is May, not this race. So I think California Chrome loses for that reason. Theyre racing him to keep him sharp, but at the same time don't wanna use him up before the Derby.