The story of California Chrome is one of believing in your gut - even square in the face of doubters and naysayers.

When you do your research, when you know what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter what outsiders say.

Horse racing is oftentimes largely about your pedigree: Who your mom and dad are, or who your grandparents are. In the case of California Chrome, his mom (“dam” in the horse racing world) was a little-known female by the name of Love the Chase.

Love the Chase had barely raced in her career; only six starts, and she hadn’t won a thing until her fourth race. But on that day, Mr. Steve Coburn and Mr. Perry Martin saw something in her that no one else did - so they partnered to purchase her for a minuscule $8000.

(Equivalent to about 8 cents in the horse racing world.)

Due to Love the Chase’s racing career having been so lightly regarded, Steve and Perry were called “dumbasses” for purchasing her. But as aforementioned, they saw something in her no one else did. So to honor the naysayers, they called their newfound business partnership “Dumbass Partners,” with the initials DAP emblazoned on their newborn racing silks.

Turns out, being a dumbass can pay huge dividends. Steve and Perry discovered that Love the Chase had been racing with a blocked nasal passage the whole time, restricting her oxygen intake. This was easily correctable - and would’ve likely made a huge difference if discovered earlier. Plus, Love the Chase’s own pedigree was outstanding.

Once retired, Love the Chase’s first son (“foal”) was California Chrome, who went on to win $14.75 million dollars throughout his racing career! In 2016, he was the highest earner in all of North American racing!

In 2014, Chrome rocketed to win the 2014 Santa Anita Derby, then the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Hollywood Derby. He only lost out on America’s Triple crown by 1 3/4 length to a fresher horse - who hadn’t raced much at all that earlier spring of ‘14 - Tonalist.

California Chrome won 2014’s Eclipse Award Horse of the Year honors as well as Penny Chenery’s Secretariat Vox Populi Award for fan favorite.

But he wasn’t done yet! Two years later, in 2016, Chrome again won Horse of the Year as well as the Secretariat Vox Populi award! In 2023, he was inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga, New York.

And last, but moms are never least, Perry and Steve finally sold Chrome’s mom, Love the Chase in 2016, turning their “dumbass” $8000 investment into a $1.95 million dollar return!