Preakness 2014 - California Chrome

Well, he has managed to match the accomplishments of his great great grandfather of 50 years ago winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Will he be able to do what Northern Dancer didn't do and win the Belmont Stakes in three weeks time to become the first Triple Crown winner in 36 years? It was a dominant performance with Chrome and Ride on Curlin 10 lengths clear of the rest of the field and Chrome not yielding to the great run by Ride on Curlin. Social Inclusion was third. The top 3 were all descendants of Northern Dancer.

California Chrome - great great grandson x2 through daughter Dance Number
Ride on Curlin - great great grandson x2 through Storm Cat
Social Inclusion - great great great grandson through El Gran Senor


image from AP Tony Stewart
(click to enlarge)

video of race
http://www.nbcsports.com/horse-racing/triple-crown-recaps/california-chrome-wins-139th-preakness-stakes-keeps-triple-crown

Kentucky Derby 2014 - California Chrome

It's quite a rags to riches story. His dam, Love The Chase was purchased for only $8,000 and now she is the mom of a Kentucky Derby winner. Love The Chase was the granddaughter of one of Northern Dancer's prolific daughters in Dance Number so it's hard to believe she was such a bargain. Longshot Commanding Curve was second and Danza third. Of course all three were descendants of The Dancer.

California Chrome - great great grandson x2 through daughter Dance Number
Commanding Curve - great great grandson x2 through Storm Cat/Storm Bird
Danza - great great grandson through Deputy Minister/Vice Regent

photo from Getty

video of race
http://stream.nbcsports.com/horse-racing/?pid=70&referrer=http://www.kentuckyderby.com/watch

British Triple Crown - Qipco 2000 Guineas 2014 goes to Night Of Thunder

Triple Crowns get under way on both sides of the Atlantic today. In the first leg of the British Triple Crown - the 2000 Guineas it was a 40-1 shot in Night of Thunder crossing the wire first (while crossing the track sideways) ahead of Kingman and Australia. All 3 are descendants of Northern Dancer. Night Of Thunder is a grandson of Dubai Millennium through Dubawi. You can read about the brilliant but sad tale of Dubai Millennium from the blog post below.

Night Of Thunder (IRE) - great great grandson x4 through Dubai Millenium/Dubawi
Kingman (GB) - great great grandson x3 through Danzig/Green Desert
Australia (GB) - great grandson through Sadlers Wells/Galileo

photo from Steve Parsons/PA

link to Dubai Millennium post - no ordinary Joe
http://northerndancerblog.blogspot.ca/search?q=dubai+millennium
video of race
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7boqDEAvvic