I remember the first time I saw the striking chestnut with 4 white feet. Someone posted something about a contender for the Kentucky Derby named California Chrome. It was love at first sight! I remember forwarding the photo to my boyfriend, Dr. Vince Mirarchi, as I knew he would love the name of this horse since he too was born and raised in southern California. We mutually agreed this was our pick for the Derby. I nearly had a heart attack watching the Kentucky Derby as California Chrome pulled away and won with room to spare! I loved everything about this horse! His looks but most of all his story! A bit of an underdog story. For those of you who aren't familiar with this amazing story, his owners purchased the colts mother for a mere $8000.00, then bred her to Lucky Pulpit for $1500.00. (which in horse racing is peanuts!) Someone told one of the owners, Steve Coburn, that he was a "dumb ass" for going into the racing business, and with that DAP (Dumb Ass Partners) was born! Shortly after that, so was California Chrome. Steve Coburn had a dream 2 weeks before Chrome was born that he would have a colt with four white feet and he would win the Kentucky Derby. Well, there ya go! Vince and I followed California Chrome throughout the entire racing season. We were beyond excited to see him win the Preakness, and of course disappointed to see him come in fourth at the Belmont as we were so certain he would be the next Triple Crown winner. Even though that didn't happen, we were still die hard "Chromie's".
We purchased tickets to attend the Breeders Cup a few months ago. Vince however came across a silent auction that benefited "The City of Hope" in California that would give us a chance to meet Victor Espinoza (Chrome's jockey) and California Chrome in person for a day. Vince didn't tell me about the auction though because he wasn't sure he would win! He did win, and when I got the phone call that we would be meeting these two in person I was ecstatic! I was just thrilled to be visiting California for the first time in my life and going to the Breeders Cup, but this was beyond my wildest dreams! Not to mention, it would benefit The City of Hope, which is a cancer research hospital and after losing my dad last year to cancer, it's a charity I am passionate about! We arrived at Santa Anita Park bright and early on Monday morning, October 27th. We were told to meet Victor at Clockers Corner at 6am, which is a neat little breakfast spot right by the track. We were both so nervous, but as soon as Victor walked up his kind, gentle spirit relaxed us both immediately! He took us back to the barn to meet California Chrome. The first time I laid eyes on Chrome it was indescribable! It was like meeting the President of the United States or the Queen of England! I was in awe at how beautiful he was! We met Alan Sherman, Willie Delgado and Raul Rodriguez for the first time, and they all were more than happy to sign autographs for us! The whole group was so generous and kind!
Raul, Vince, Alan Sherman, Chrome, Victor, Ashley and Willie Delgado
Tuesday morning came and we ran into Team Chrome at Clockers Corner bright and early! They greeted us with smiles and we watched Chrome do his morning gallop. It was beyond awesome! Later that morning we had breakfast with Chrome's exercise rider, Willie Delgado and it wasn't long before we began to realize we had not just met our hero's, we had also made new friends! Later that afternoon we headed to the Chandelier room at Santa Anita as this is where the post position draw would take place. Vince and I never thought for a second we could get in, but we hoped to at least be standing outside the door when the draw took place. We were so anxious to find out Chrome's gate position! When we arrived we ran into Alan Sherman and much to our delight, his amazing father Art Sherman! They are just the kindest bunch of people you'd ever hope to meet! The Sherman's invited us into the the Chandelier room AND invited us to sit with them during the draw! Victor Espinoza came in a few minutes later and sat right next to me. Cameras were everywhere! I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest! When they drew post position number 13 for Chrome, I looked at Victor and said "Are you okay with that?" and he gave a big smile and said "Yes!". That evening an AP photo hit all the major newspapers and look, there I am, in pink, by Victor!
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On Tuesday evening Vince and I attended a benefit dinner which benefited TROTT (Training Racehorses Off The Track). This is yet another charity I am passionate about as I too take Thoroughbreds off the track and help guide them to their new career in life. They are my favorite breed, and I encourage everyone to look into adopting a Thoroughbred off the track! I met some amazing people at this dinner, plus purchased a picture of Secretariat signed by Penny Chenery and Ron Turcott that benefited TROTT! I won in a raffle several cool items, one of which was a giant print of Zenyatta signed by Mike Smith! Vince and I also met Lafitt Pincay, who was the jockey that rode Affirmed to the last Triple Crown! He also rode Sham, who was well known for being right behind Secretariat in his big races. It was a great night!
Wednesday morning we were back at beautiful Santa Anita watching morning workouts. Chrome looked amazing of course! We ran into Gary Stevens which was super cool! Later that morning while hanging out with Willie Delgado we finally had the chance to meet the Coburn's, who are part owners of California Chrome. Instantly I knew these were good people! Vince and I fell in love with Steve and Carolyn right off the bat! We spent the day with the Coburn's and Willie, then hurried back to our hotel to get ready for the awards dinner which would honor Chrome's trainer, Art Sherman, with the Mr. Fitz Award! We sat at a table with Steve and Carolyn Coburn and Willie Delgado, and to our left sat the Sherman's. I had the privilege of meeting the lovely Charlsie Cantey, who you may remember from NBC races many moons ago. She would interview the winning jockey right after they crossed the finish line. My dad and I always loved her, so meeting her was so great! She told me how she started out riding hunter/jumpers before going into racing. I grabbed her autograph as well!
Ashley with Steve and Carolyn Coburn
Thursday morning we arrived bright and early once again to watch Chrome's workout, but this time got to watch it with Steve Coburn!
Moving on to the big day, Breeders Cup Saturday. The morning of the race Vince received a call from the Breeders Cup telling us we would be watching the race from the Winner's Circle. We were kind of like "yeah, okay". It sounded good, but too good, right? Steve Coburn had invited us to the Winner's Circle with them if Chrome won, but to watch the race??? We headed to Santa Anita around lunch time dressed in our "Sunday best" I guess you would say. We watched all of the pre-races, occasionally throwing $2 to the win, and losing most of what I bet!
We were told to meet a Breeders Cup rep at 5:20 who would take us to the Winner's Circle for the race. Sure enough, a nice lady met us then led us to our "spot" for the Classic. Much to our awe and surprise, our spot was front and center of the actual Winner's Circle! Vince and I were both in absolute shock! Celebrities everywhere, and we were standing right behind the fellows in red who play their trumpets to call the race! Family and friends all over the USA were texting saying "We see you on tv!". As they led the horses onto the track, Willie and Raul led Chrome to the track then Willie joined Vince and I for the race, as did Alan Sherman who stood nearby. I can't begin to put into words what watching this race so close, with now personal connections to California Chrome meant to me, but I can tell you it was like watching a horse I owned. I found myself screaming "Go Chrome" as he galloped by, just hoping "my" horse would win! I wanted this so much for Chrome, for the Coburn's, for the Sherman's, for Victor, for Willie and Raul, and selfishly...for myself! As they rounded the home turn I saw Victor engage and really asking Chrome to go. Our boy bolted and went into another gear! We were standing right on the finish line, and I have no doubt if Chrome had 15 more feet he would have won that race. I wasn't sad though. Sure, I would have loved for him to win, but I was darn proud of this horse and what all he had accomplished this year! As soon as the race was over I had my picture made with Bo Derek and Richie Sambora!
This is a picture I took with my iPhone as California Chrome, in purple, galloped by. It still gives me chills to think about. The ground literally shook under my feet!
After the race we went to dinner with the Coburn's and Willie. They were so proud of Chrome and very happy with the end result! As I said goodbye to my new friends, I burst into tears and thanked them for giving me the best week of my life! The Coburn's response was that we had been a blessing to them. That's the kind of people they are. True, good souls. It's not often you meet good people who are simply "real". Team Chrome is the real deal. We exchanged contact info and I have no doubt we'll stay in touch. Here I traveled to California thinking I was going to watch a horse race. Yes, I did, but I also came home with a bunch of new amazing friends! What a gift from God! I can't help but to think my dad who ran my farm with me for many years had something to do with this! I know he's up there with a big grin watching me, watching California Chrome. I look forward to seeing Chrome race in 2015. I do believe, The Best is Yet To Come.
To learn more about Ashley, visit her website at www.RivermontFarm.com and www.GlamourAlls.com. Rivermont Farm is located in NW GA and GlamourAlls is her company that manufactures ladies insulated coveralls.
