Bill Text: CA ACR161 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: California Chrome: thoroughbred horse racing.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 52-22)
Status: (Passed) 2014-09-09 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Res. Chapter 159, Statutes of 2014. [ACR161 Detail]
Download: California-2013-ACR161-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: ACR 161 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
RESOLUTION CHAPTER 159
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE SEPTEMBER 9, 2014
ADOPTED IN SENATE AUGUST 21, 2014
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 14, 2014
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 14, 2014
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JULY 3, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Logue, Hall, and Perea
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bigelow, Campos, Chesbro, Conway,
Gray, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Levine, Linder, Maienschein, Medina,
Mullin, Quirk-Silva, V. Manuel Pérez, Waldron, Achadjian, Alejo,
Allen, Atkins, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Bradford, Brown, Buchanan, Ian
Calderon, Chávez, Cooley, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dickinson, Donnelly,
Eggman, Fong, Fox, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Garcia, Gatto, Gomez,
Gonzalez, Gordon, Gorell, Grove, Hagman, Harkey, Roger Hernández,
Holden, Lowenthal, Mansoor, Melendez, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Nestande,
Olsen, Pan, Patterson, John A. Pérez, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas,
Rodriguez, Salas, Skinner, Wagner, Weber, Wieckowski, Wilk, Williams,
and Yamada)
JUNE 11, 2014
Relative to California Chrome.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 161, Logue. California Chrome: thoroughbred horse racing.
This measure would recognize 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, would
recognize and congratulate the many Californians who are part of the
ownership group, breeding and training cadre, and other essential
elements that led to his success, and would recognize the storied
history of thoroughbred horse racing in California, the Cal-bred
Program, and its contributions to job creation and the state's
economy.
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 horse 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 heartwarming 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 77 years of age, 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 Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature 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 Legislature 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 Legislature recognizes the storied history of
thoroughbred horse racing in California, the Cal-bred Program, 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 Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
