Steven Coburn and Perry Martin's California Chrome kept Triple Crown hopes alive with a smooth victory in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland, May 17.

With wins in the Preakness and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, California Chrome will head to New York for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes June 7 and a chance to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

With Victor Espinoza riding for trainer Art Sherman, California Chrome got a trip similar to that in the Kentucky Derby; he rated just off the early leaders, bid on the far turn, made the top and drew away to victory. At the finish the Lucky Pulpit colt had 1 1/2 lengths on fast-closing Ride On Curlin, who was 6 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Social Inclusion. General a Rod was fourth.

The time for 1 3/16 miles on a fast track was 1:54.84

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