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The Chosen Vron: From Cal-bred Ranks to Racing Pinnacle

2024-11-22

The summer of 2023 witnessed an extraordinary horse named The Chosen Vron gearing up for the biggest race of his life. This son of the late sire Vronsky had been on a remarkable winning streak, dominating the Cal-bred ranks with seven consecutive stakes victories on both dirt and turf. Standing at 70 years old, J. Eric Kruljac, the epitome of a horseman, was at the heart of this story. Born in San Jose in 1953 and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Kruljac's love for horses was instilled by his grandfather, a cattle breeder and racehorse owner. After a football injury ended his NFL dreams, Kruljac became an investigator of workman's comp claims. But it was during this period that he began dabbling in horses and eventually went all in. His journey with horses has been filled with both successes and challenges. From winning the G1 Test at Saratoga with Leave Me Alone to multiple stakes victories at Del Mar, Kruljac has made a name for himself in the horse racing world. The Chosen Vron, foaled on March 28, 2018, was a promising colt from the start. Despite initial setbacks, he has shown remarkable consistency and a tenacious spirit. From breaking his maiden at first asking to winning multiple graded stakes and embarking on an eight-race win streak that led to the 2023 Breeders' Cup, The Chosen Vron has been a force to be reckoned with. Even after a setback at the 2023 Breeders' Cup, he bounced back with a victory in the Cary Grant Stakes and continued his winning streak. Now, as Kruljac looks to the future, he hopes to take The Chosen Vron to the Middle East for more races. Despite the tough competition, Kruljac is confident in his horse and cherishes every moment with him. The story of The Chosen Vron and J. Eric Kruljac is a testament to the passion and dedication that drives the world of horse racing.

J. Eric Kruljac: A Horseman's Journey

J. Eric Kruljac, born in 1953 in San Jose and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, had a diverse background. His grandfather was a cattle breeder and racehorse owner, and Kruljac got the racing bug from him. After a football injury ended his NFL dreams, he became an investigator of workman's comp claims. But his love for horses led him to start dabbling in the industry. He bought a broodmare and began training horses with his older brother. Over the years, he shut down his investigating agency and focused solely on horses. He has had his share of success, winning multiple stakes at Del Mar and with horses like Leave Me Alone and Gleefully. His interest in horses began at a young age, and he has been passionate about it ever since. With four grown children and one son who is also a trainer, the horse racing world runs in his family.

Kruljac's journey with The Chosen Vron has been particularly special. From the colt's early days to his current status as a racing star, Kruljac has been by his side. The Chosen Vron's consistent performances and tenacious spirit have made him a beloved horse in the racing community.

The Chosen Vron: Early Years and Development

The Chosen Vron was a pretty colt from the very beginning. Foaled on March 28, 2018, at Harris Ranch in Coalinga, California, he showed promise from the start. However, he had some initial problems with slow development. But with patience and time, he grew into a strong and competitive horse.

As a 2-year-old in 2020, he broke his maiden at first asking. In 2021, he came back and won four of his six races, including graded stakes like the G3 Laz Barrera and the G3 Affirmed. His consistent performances laid the foundation for his future success.

The Chosen Vron: Winning Streak and Major Races

In 2022, The Chosen Vron had a remarkable year, racing only five times but winning three of them, including the E.B. Johnston at Los Alamitos. This started his eight-race win streak that led to the 2023 Breeders' Cup.

At the Breeders' Cup, he faced tough competition and might have had some issues getting out. But he still showed his quality by finishing fifth. After the Breeders' Cup, he was in high spirits and won the $100,000 Cary Grant Stakes at Del Mar, starting a new six-race win streak. His victory in the 2024 G1 Bing Crosby was the crowning achievement of his career so far.

The Future of The Chosen Vron and J. Eric Kruljac

Kruljac hopes to take The Chosen Vron to the Middle East for more races in 2025. Despite the tough competition, he is confident in his horse.

Even though Kruljac is in the twilight of his career, he cherishes every moment with The Chosen Vron. If he does retire, he plans to become a bloodstock agent and work with his son Ian. The story of The Chosen Vron and J. Eric Kruljac is a testament to the power of passion and dedication in the world of horse racing.