BILL NUMBER: SR 53ENROLLED BILL TEXT ADOPTED IN SENATE AUGUST 14, 2014 ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 19, 1950 INTRODUCED BY Senators Correa, Vidak, Berryhill, Cannella, Galgiani, Lara, Nielsen, Padilla, and Torres JUNE 26, 2014 Relative to California Chrome LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST WHEREAS, California has a long and proud thoroughbred racing history, dating back some 160 years. In particular, the Central Valley has been the birthplace of champions since the 1880s. California Chrome, born and raised at Harris Farms in Coalinga, continues that tradition and has become an outstanding representative of his namesake state; and WHEREAS, California horse racing today accounts for an estimated 50,000 jobs, 148,000 thoroughbred horses, and a $2.5 billion impact on the state's economy. Combining athleticism, grace, beauty, and speed, this sport reaches millions of fans worldwide and carries priceless positive impressions of what California has to offer; and WHEREAS, The Kentucky Derby is the world's most famous horse race and part of the celebrated Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing for three-year-old horses only. Along with the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, these three classics are the races that horse owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys all dream of winning; and WHEREAS, This spring, California Chrome won the 140th Kentucky Derby and 139th Preakness Stakes, the first time a California-bred colt swept the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Both victories ended lengthy droughts for the state's racing industry. California Chrome became the fourth California-born Derby winner and first since 1962 and California's fifth Preakness winner and first since 1986; and WHEREAS, It takes a very special horse to reach national prominence by winning multiple races at multiple tracks across the country. In his career so far, California Chrome has won races at California's Hollywood Park, Del Mar, and Santa Anita Park, in addition to Kentucky's Churchill Downs and Maryland's Pimlico Race Course at distances from 41/2 furlongs to 11/4 miles; and WHEREAS, Among California Chrome's eight career victories there was a six-stakes win streak featuring such milestones as the King Glorious Stakes, the final stakes event held at Hollywood Park, and the $1 million Santa Anita Derby as well as the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes; and WHEREAS, California Chrome, a chestnut-colored horse as golden as his home state, transcended thoroughbred horse racing to become an international phenomenon not just with his brilliant speed and winning ways, but due to his heart-warming story and the people who make up his team; and WHEREAS, California is a state where people are unafraid to dream big and that's in part what inspired four fans to cross over into horse ownership and become first-time breeders. An inspiration to the "little guys" everywhere, Perry and Denise Martin of Yuba City and Steve and Carolyn Coburn of Topaz Lake, Nevada, became partners in a mare, Love the Chase, who they bought from a syndicate for $8,000. After someone scoffed at their perceived foolishness, the couples named their new venture "Dumb Ass Partners (D.A.P.) Racing"; and WHEREAS, The partners sent their lone mare to Harris Farms to be bred and chose the stallion Lucky Pulpit, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams. California Chrome is Love the Chase's first foal. Before the colt was born, Steve Coburn vividly dreamed about the big chestnut colt with four white legs and distinctive blaze and felt sure the newborn was destined for greatness; and WHEREAS, After a difficult birth, the mare was nursed back to health by the excellent and attentive veterinary staff at Harris Farms. This hands-on care also imprinted a love for people on her intelligent and precocious son nicknamed "Junior." Developing his mind and body, California Chrome spent his first two years at Harris Farms, where he was groomed to be a racehorse; and WHEREAS, When it came time to start racing, the partners sent their only racehorse to trainer Art Sherman with the proclamation that this was "his Derby horse" and a suggested road map of races to qualify. Sherman's prior Derby experience was as the exercise rider for California-bred 1955 Kentucky Derby winner Swaps. Coincidentally, California Chrome is Swaps' great-great-great-great grandson; and WHEREAS, California Chrome, as he prepared for the Triple Crown trail, gained his foundation and experience in the lucrative Golden State Series for Cal-bred horses, confirming the value and significance of the state's breeding program; and WHEREAS, Art Sherman, at age 77, became the oldest trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. California Chrome also became the first Derby and Preakness winner trained at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California; and WHEREAS, Success is the result of teamwork and California Chrome's campaign is no exception. Jockey Victor Espinoza guided the colt to those six straight stakes wins. Assistant trainer Alan Sherman served as his father's right-hand man and accompanied their Triple Crown candidate for six weeks on the road; and WHEREAS, Groom Raul Rodriguez became California Chrome's constant companion, attending to his every need. Exercise rider Willie Delgado made sure the colt paid attention to his morning lessons; and WHEREAS, California Chrome's Triple Crown bid fell short when he injured a hoof at the start of the 146th Belmont Stakes, yet valiantly finished tied for fourth only 13/4 lengths from victory. That loss did not diminish his amazing accomplishments; and WHEREAS, In any sport, it takes an extraordinary athlete to become a household name. California Chrome joined a short list of such equine superstars as Seabiscuit and Secretariat with cross-over appeal and the ability to make new fans as evidenced by his thousands of "Chromies"; and WHEREAS, California Chrome became, as Art Sherman said, a "California rock star" and the latest example that California dreams can come true; and WHEREAS, California Chrome's grit, determination, and heart carried him far beyond this state; it made California Chrome "America' s horse"; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes the outstanding performance of California Chrome during his remarkable run for thoroughbred horse racing's Triple Crown, and, in particular, for his tremendous victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and congratulates the many Californians who are part of the ownership group, breeding and training cadre, and other essential elements that led to the success of California Chrome; and be it further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the storied history of thoroughbred horse racing in California, and its important contributions to job creation and the state's economy that result from a vibrant California thoroughbred horse racing industry; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.