'Chrome' Doing 'Great' After Awesome Again

Trainer Art Sherman reported Oct. 2 that California Chrome   came out of his dominant victory in the Oct. 1 Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) in good order.

California Chrome left Santa Anita Park at 6:33 p.m. PT Saturday for his Los Alamitos Race Course headquarters to prepare for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Nov. 5.

"He looked great this morning," Sherman said. "I went over him and he looks like a horse that didn't even run. The horse amazes me. We've just got to keep him healthy and fresh for the Breeders' Cup."

Chrome won the Awesome Again almost pulled up, with jockey Victor Espinoza applying the brakes under a snug hold.

BALAN: 'Chrome' Cruises to Awesome Again Win

 "Victor told me he eased him up the last 70 yards," said Sherman, who will keep the same agenda for California Chrome leading to the Classic as he did for the Awesome Again.

"It'll be the same kind of plan. We'll train him here at Los Al and bring him to Santa Anita a week out. I'm not going to change anything. It seemed to be a good plan, so we're not going to change it."

While California Chrome was far from all out late in the Awesome Again, Sherman seemed all out to contain his emotions in the winner's circle hubbub after the victory.

"Well, it was quite a thrill for me," he confessed. "The people—everybody who's involved with the horse—we've got a great bunch of owners. What can you say?"