California Chrome Arrives in Newmarket

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California Chrome Arrives in Newmarket
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California Chrome arrived in Newmarket April 1 and is settling in at the yard of trainer Rae Guest, who will supervise the U.S. Horse of the Year's preparations for a tilt at Royal Ascot.

After finishing second behind Prince Bishop in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), the 4-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit   is expected to race in the June 17 Prince of Wales's Stakes (ENG-I), but could first start May 16 in the J.T. Lockinge Stakes (ENG-I) at Newbury, where he would meet Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner Karakontie.

Art Sherman will remain the trainer of record for last year's winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I), while his son and assistant trainer Alan Sherman has scheduled a trip to Guest's yard to check up on the stable star in about a month.

BALAN: Sherman: Ascot Could be Rough on 'Chrome'

Guest issued a positive update on the well-being of California Chrome following his arrival in Britain, according to the Cambridge News.

"He came over at (9 p.m.) last night and seems to have taken the journey well," Guest said in a bulletin. "He looks great and has eaten up last night. We will check him again later today, but it all looks good.

"We have got him in a separate barn at the moment with Mirza, who has also come back from Dubai, which we use for quarantined horses.

"He will have an easy 10 days, as he has had two long journeys and a hard race, we will then speak to (his) owners and see where we go. He may have a little walk or trot if he gets a bit too fresh."

Guest also shared photos of the popular U.S. runner with followers on Twitter.

 

California Chrome was shipped to Newmarket from Dubai, apparently upon the decision of co-owner Perry Martin, whose partner Steve Coburn would have preferred to return the horse to the U.S. for the rest of his 2015 campaign.

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Martin Defends Sending 'Chrome' to Ascot

Turf is not an unfamiliar surface to California Chrome. In the final race of his 3-year-old campaign for DAP Racing last year, the chestnut colt won the 1 1/8-mile Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) Nov. 29 at Del Mar in his first and only start on the lawn.

"It's a big responsibility and a great honour to have a Kentucky Derby winner in the yard," Guest said. "With the owners trying to win a group one on the grass in England it is a great adventure for everybody involved."