Chrome to be honored with Vox Populi Award at Santa Anita January 10

Last updated: 1/1/15 5:53 PM

Chrome to be honored with Vox Populi Award at Santa Anita
January 10

“Team Chrome,” including jockey Victor Espinoza, will participate in a special autograph session
(Benoit Photos)

Santa Anita Park will honor California Chrome as the winner of the
Secretariat “Vox Populi” (Voice of the People) Award on January 10, with
“Chrome’s” connections scheduled to be on-hand prior to the races for a special
autograph session that will include a free California Chrome poster to the first
2,000 fans attending the session, which begins at 11 a.m. (PST).

Presented annually for the fifth time, the “Vox Populi” Award was established
by Mrs. Penny Chenery, owner of 1973 Triple Crown Champion Secretariat.
California Chrome was a handy winner among a record number of online voters.
Chrome basked in the national spotlight throughout 2014, winning six of his nine
starts, including the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and
Hollywood Derby.

Regular rider Victor Espinoza and trainer Art Sherman, along with California
Chrome owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, will be available to sign
autographs beginning at 11 a.m. in Santa Anita’s East Paddock Gardens. The
actual presentation of the Vox Populi Award will take place later in the day in
a Winner’s Circle ceremony between races.

California Chrome joins previous Vox Populi winners Mucho Macho Man (2013),
Paynter (2012), Rapid Redux (2011) and Zenyatta, who was the inaugural winner in
2010.

“Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and this one was no exception,” Chenery
said. “California Chrome, a proven champion and formidable competitor, reminded
us that it doesn’t matter from whence we came but rather how we dance when we
get to the ball. Furthermore, his inspiring story and engaging popularity
reached beyond the racetrack stands and into the conversation of a nation. I am
looking forward to seeing California Chrome build upon his success during his
four-year-old season.”

The Vox Populi Award ceremony will be broadcast live on HRTV and Coburn and
Martin have announced they will be donating race-worn silks from Chrome’s
winning effort in the San Felipe Stakes for auction, with proceeds to benefit
the Secretariat Foundation and other equine charities.

For more information about the Secretariat Vox Populi Award and the
California Chrome silks auction, fans are encouraged to visit Secretariat.com,
the official website for the legendary Triple Crown Champion.

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