King: California Chrome has no flaws

California Chrome is a Kentucky Derby standout. He’s the fastest horse and also the classiest.

Want speed figures? He has them. He owns the top last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 107, earned in winning the Santa Anita Derby, and his career-best Beyer, a 108, again tops Saturday’s field for the Kentucky Derby. None of his opponents have ever run higher than a 104.

Want class? Again, he rates on top. He is the leading money earner, having made $1,134,850 while largely facing quality opposition. In his three victories this year, the runner-up finishers were Grade 1 winner Tamarando in the California Cup Derby, recent Illinois Derby runner-up Midnight Hawk in the San Felipe, and Rebel Stakes winner and Derby entrant Hoppertunity in the Santa Anita Derby.

Although some worry how he might react to a faster pace in the Derby than what he has seen at Santa Anita, the opinion here is that won’t be a problem. California Chrome is a horse who settles kindly for jockey Victor Espinoza, and his natural positional speed, along with his ability to immediately spurt away from the pack, makes for a potent combination.

Hoppertunity, under the guidance of three-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, was no match for California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby, finishing 5 1/4 lengths back, but might be able to close the gap at Churchill Downs, a track that isn’t as speed-favoring as Santa Anita.

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Hoppertunity does not fit the typical profile of a Derby starter who was unraced at 2, having garnered experience by running five times this year, and at three different tracks. Before his most recent start in the Santa Anita Derby, he proved his quality with a win in the Rebel at Oaklawn, and even with a closing fourth in the Risen Star despite a troubled trip.

More so than any other entrant, Hoppertunity acts like the type to most benefit from stretching out to 1 1/4 miles. He never seems to get tired, consistently galloping out well in his races.

Wicked Strong, like Hoppertunity, is a talented late runner. He comes off a much-improved effort in winning the Wood Memorial in fast time. He also impressed in his final Derby workout in New York, seemingly lessening the chance of a bounce.

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General a Rod is a long-striding front-runner who looks like the type who should carry his speed a distance. One of the best colts in Florida this winter, he could get a piece of the exotics. So, too, could Arkansas Derby winner Danza and Risen Star winner Intense Holiday.