2014 Preakness video replay: California Chrome surges to win

California Chrome won the 139th running of the Preakness Stakes, out-racing the other nine horses in the field to claim the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. If you didn’t see the action from Pimlico Race Course live, or just want to see California Chrome conquer the field again, you can watch the full video of the race.

California Chrome got a great break, coming out of the gate clean and moving toward the lead. Pablo Del Monte took the early lead with California Chrome running third into the far turn. California Chrome made a move at the top of the stretch with Social Inclusion running strong in second place. California Chrome then pulled into the lead, and while Ride on Curlin mounted a strong effort down the stretch, it wasn’t enough, and California Chrome held on for the win.

Coming off an impressive win in the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome entered the race as an overwhelming favorite. He opened with 3-5 morning line odds. The odds shifted slightly in the time leading up to the race, but California Chrome remained the heavy favorite throughout. There was so much confidence in the 3-year-old that he was listed as a 2-1 favorite to not only win the Preakness, but go on to win the Belmont and claim the Triple Crown.

Those odds will drop even further following California Chrome’s win at Pimlico on Saturday. He’ll head to the Belmont Stakes next month with a good chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. California Chrome isn’t the first horse to win the first two legs in recent years. I’ll Have Another in 2012 and Big Brown in 2008 both won the Derby and Preakness before failing to capture the Triple Crown at the Belmont. California Chrome will get his chance to complete the feat on June 7.

Heavy rain hit the Baltimore area early in the week, making for a sloppy track during some of the undercard races in the days leading up to the Preakness. The rain stopped Friday afternoon, however, allowing the course to dry and leaving the track for the Preakness in good condition.