California Chrome works half-mile toward comeback

CYPRESS, Calif. – Workouts are starting to get serious for California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year. On Saturday at Los Alamitos, California Chrome worked a half-mile in 50.20 seconds, his longest and most significant workout since returning to training last month after a three-month break.

Ridden by exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, was one of the first horses on the track shortly after training began at 5:30 a.m. The workout began on the turn and continued past the finish line to the clubhouse turn. Gladney did not urge California Chrome in the first furlong, but the colt quickened noticeably early in the long stretch. California Chrome was timed in 37.60 seconds for the first three furlongs, to the finish line. “He was rolling,” trainer Art Sherman said. “He went the first eighth slow.” Sherman timed California Chrome in 23.60 seconds from the quarter pole to the finish line. California Chrome was scheduled to work three furlongs but finished so strongly that he was given a half-mile time.

The enthusiasm California Chrome showed toward the end of the workout was common, according to Alan Sherman, Art’s son and assistant trainer. “He doesn’t want to stop; easy, boy,” said Alan Sherman. “He’s got a big engine.” Art Sherman said he has seen steady development from California Chrome in recent weeks. “He’s muscling up,” Sherman said. “He gets stronger as he’s galloping out. It’s a good sign. He wants to do more. I think he goes faster when you take a good hold of him. He’ll progress. He’ll pick it up every week. You know it will be serious when we put Victor on him.”

Victor Espinoza has been the regular rider of California Chrome since late 2013. California Chrome returned to Sherman’s stable in early October, having spent the late summer at Taylor Made Farms in Kentucky. Taylor Made bought a minority share of California Chrome from co-owner and co-breeder Steve Coburn during the summer. Perry Martin, who bred California Chrome with Coburn, retains majority ownership. Martin and Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm attended Saturday’s workout.

California Chrome is expected to make his 2016 debut in the San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita on Jan. 9. The main goal in the early months next year is the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 26. Last March, California Chrome was second in the Dubai World Cup, his most recent start. He was sent to England in the spring for a start at Royal Ascot in June but did not start because of a bruised foot. California Chrome was later sent to Arlington Park in advance of the Arlington Million in August but was taken out of training in July because of bruising on a cannon bone. A California-bred by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has won 9 of 18 starts and earned $6,322,650.