California Chrome Wins Derby

No upsets today: Favorite California Chrome easily won today's Kentucky Derby, taking the first step toward ending a 36-year Triple Crown champion drought. Jockey Victor Espinoza pulled away down the stretch for the comfortable win in the 140th running of the race. Taking charge at the top of the lane, Espinoza and California Chrome made a decisive move and quickly sprinted clear. They finished the 1¼ miles in 2:03.66. Long shot Commanding Curve rallied for second, with Danza third. Wicked Strong was fourth.

The victory makes Art Sherman the race's oldest winning trainer at age 77. California Chrome, still unbeaten as a 3-year-old, was a 2-1 favorite just before the race started. In a game dominated by millionaires and billionaires, this was a victory for the little guys. Owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn bred an $8,000 mare to a $2,500 stallion to win the world's most famous race with their one-horse stable. (More Kentucky Derby stories.)