Fresh Chocolate Candy Wins El Camino Real Derby

In the El Camino Real on Valentine's Day, my sweetheart Chocolate Candy delivered a win to swell the hearts of his supporters. Although this previously confirmed come-from-behinder was a bit too fresh too early, landing in an unaccustomed position on the lead with a lot of stretch left to cover, Chocolate Candy turned the challenge into an opportunity to demonstrate his versatility.

In a season notable for visually impressive three year olds with questionable speed, Chocolate Candy laid down two fast mid-race quarters in :23 and :24. The heat melted Axel Foley, who faded to fourth, while Chocolate Candy persevered through the final furlong and repelled two late charging rivals.

Despite winning four out of his past five races, Chocolate Candy has attracted detractors for his distinctively high, long and wide front leg action. Especially the "wide" part. This is called paddling, and is considered a deficit. But in my eyes, it's all of a piece with Chocolate Candy's dreamlike way of going. This horse moves so easily, he floats. His owner/breeder, diet mogul Jenny Craig, is already dreaming of roses from Chocolate Candy on the first Saturday in May.