California Chrome Sneaks in Los Alamitos Work
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California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Los Alamitos March 2 in preparation for the upcoming San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park. Jockey Victor Espinoza was aboard.
"He went perfect," said trainer Art Sherman. "He galloped out (six furlongs) in 1:13 and change. The horse looks like he's ready to go."
Because of the recent heavy rain that has hit Southern California, Sherman delayed the work a day.
"I was the only horse out here," said Sherman. "Los Alamitos bent over backward for me to have a good track."
It was an important workout for California Chrome with the San Felipe set for March 8. It was his first drill since Feb. 22.
The rain forced Barretts Sales & Racing to move its preview for the March 2-year-old sale up a day from its originally scheduled Feb. 28. Los Alamitos canceled its live Quarter Horse racing from Feb. 28-March 2 due to the weather.
Sherman plans to ship California Chrome to Santa Anita Wednesday, March 5. The striking chestnut colt was an impressive winner of the Jan. 25 California Cup Derby at the Southern California track, but as yet he has no points toward a start in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Owners Steve and Carolyn Coburn and Perry and Denise Martin bred the 3-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit —Love the Chase, by Not For Love , in California. At 2, California Chrome won the Graduation Stakes at Del Mar and King Glorious Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park. He has earned $354,850 while winning four of eight starts.