Hope and Promise will be Riding into the California Cup Derby with Faversham

Photo credit to Gary Tasich

The California Cup Derby is set to be run on Monday, February 19th. The mile and a sixteenth event has attracted a deep field of twelve. One of the standouts in the race has only raced once, and still has yet to win. However, there will be a lot of hope riding on the young chestnut when he breaks from the starting gate in his stakes debut. That horse is Faversham, the full brother to the one and only, California Chrome. Fans everywhere will be putting their faith in Faversham as he sets off to start a story of his own.

Faversham showed a lot of promise and potential when he made his powerful closing move to run second to Violent Ridge in his debut. Since his game, runner up effort last month, Faversham has been training very forwardly and looks to be sitting on a big one, come post time. He will face off with Violent Ridge once again on Monday, but appears dauntless as he gears up for the rematch.

Diving straight into stakes company in only your second start is a bold and daring move for any horse, but Faversham’s connections have plenty of reason to believe that their strapping son of Lucky Pulpit is up for the task. For starters, the mating of Lucky Pulpit with Love The Chase has already proven to be a successful match, as Faversham’s older brother, California Chrome, has more than proven. While a first glance at their pedigree may suggest that there is more to be desired, you might want to take a closer look. California Chrome and Faversham’s bloodlines are actually loaded with champions, such as Pulpit, A.P. Indy, Mr. Prospector, Seattle Slew, Numbered Account, Northern Dancer, Danzig, the iron horse, Swaps, and even the “tremendous machine” himself, Secretariat. With a family tree like that, it is no wonder that class and talent flared so brightly from California Chrome. It gives hope that Faversham can do the same.

The royal blood hidden within Faversham isn’t the only reason for people to be excited about his potential. Faversham’s strong debut and willingness in his workouts has given no reason for people to doubt him yet. Faversham has shown obvious signs that he is a horse that wants to run long, so the fact that he ran so well in a six furlong sprint is a testament of his class. He will be given the opportunity to stretch his legs in the California Cup Derby, and he is expected to thrive with the extra ground.

Fans across the country will be holding their breath to see if Faversham will follow in his brother’s hoof prints and march to glory in the California Cup Derby. But win or lose on Monday, Faversham will still be a neat horse to follow. Between his family history, early signs of talent, and likable connections, how can you not root for this horse? He has a real chance to become something special as he embarks on his journey to create a legacy of his own.

Line up of the California Cup Derby

#1 Violent Ridge 6-1

#2 Hardboot 20-1

#3 Lucky Ramano 12-1

#4 Heck Yeah 9/5

#5 Faversham 5-1

#6 Intimidate 6-1

#7 Continental Divide 12-1

#8 Fire When Ready 20-1

#9 Black Site 15-1

#10 Campaigner 10-1

#11 George From Tahoe 10-1

#12 Kaleidoscope Kid 30-1

Post time is at 4:00 P.M. (Pacific Time)

Thank you to Gary Tasich for providing the beautiful images of Faversham!

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