California Chrome won the 140th Kentucky Derby in brilliant fashion at a bright and sunny Churchill Downs, adding another fairytale chapter to America’s most famous and revered horse race. Perfectly ridden by Victor Espinoza, the three-year-old colt pinned back its ears and sprinted clear of its rivals to win the $2.2 million classic by one-and-a-quarter lengths. Commanding Curve, a 37-1 longshot, charged home late to finish second while Danza, named after ‘Who’s the Boss’ actor Tony Danza, boxed on for third after trying to stick with California Chrome over the mile-and-a-quarter journey on the Kentucky dirt. Wicked Strong, the 6-1 second favourite named in honour of the Boston marathon victims, finished fourth after starting from the widest barrier but California Chrome was never truly threatened.

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