California Chrome well beaten on return to action

California Chrome, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, could finish only sixth on his return to action in the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx racecourse on Saturday.

Off the track since June when he failed in his Triple Crown bid in the Belmont, California Chrome (inset) was keen early on and while jockey Victor Espinoza tried to settle him, Bayern stole an early lead which he maintained all the way to the line.

California Chrome’s trainer Art Sherman reports the Breeders’ Cup to still be the intended target and Espinoza felt that the race would serve as a good prep for that big-race date.