The best horse in training is based in California. And he isn't California Chrome. Not by the length of the Santa Anita stretch.
Shared Belief, partially owned by Jim Rome, destroyed a full field in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, blew away his opponents without being asked for any effort by Mike Smith.
"I have to pinch myself," Smith said after the race. "Zenyatta ... Holy Bull ... Shared Belief. So blessed to get the opportunity to ride horses like this.
"You hear the saying the sky's the limit. The sky's the limit for him. He's a gelding. He has an opportunity to run and continue to run. He's gonna be great for the game."
Shared Belief was sent off as the 1-5 favorite. He tackled Moreno coming off the final turn and absolutely pranced to the finish line under no urging.
Shared Belief has won 10 of 11 starts and has career earnings of nearly $3 million.
Mike Smith and Shared Belief after their #BigCap win. What a moment! pic.twitter.com/CfeCkT41Yp
— Americas Best Racing (@ABRLive) March 8, 2015
In his previous start at Santa Anita, Shared Belief powered past the reigning Horse of the Year, California Chrome, to win the San Antonio.
His performance in the Santa Anita Handicap was stronger than that.
His lone loss came in controversial fashion in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic, when Shared Belief lost all chance when cut off at the start.
The final time for the 1 1/4 miles on Saturday was 2:00 3/5. Share Belief paid $2.60 to win.
.@JimRome with the #BigCap trophy at @santaanitapark! pic.twitter.com/NihHYviLCn
— Americas Best Racing (@ABRLive) March 8, 2015
