Chrome Diaries: Polishing Chrome for the Classic
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My Saturday started at 4 a.m. when I merged onto the interstate to make my way to Los Alamitos for morning workouts. While the drive seemed to breeze by, the number of cars on the road at 5:30 a.m. as I neared the edge of Orange and LA counties was a surprise. Dawn was just breaking as I walked from the horsemen’s parking lot to the track. I always look forward to nature’s light show, as the sky changes color behind the mountains, but this morning was special - like being on a movie set with this surreal backdrop. Whatever reluctance I had to getting out of bed when my alarm went off had completely evaporated by 6 a.m.
It was a light day for Sherman Racing, with five horses working, the last being their champion colt, California Chrome. The larger-than-usual crowd trackside was due to the annual Los Alamitos Equine Sale, kicking off at 10 a.m., and the deck outside the track kitchen was filling up by the time that I headed back to the barn to check in with the team.
I was greeted by jockey Victor Espinoza. He was there to work the chestnut colt, in good spirits and chattier than normal, making jokes and enjoying the interaction with the rest of the team while assistant trainer Alan Sherman walked Chrome to get him warmed up.
As we headed out to the track, Alan asked me to shoot some video footage in addition to photos. For those of you who do either photography or videography, you know that being good at one does not necessarily translate to the other, but I was happy to do my best. A couple weeks back, the team was contacted by Nashville recording artist Michelle Leigh, who asked to include Chrome in her new music video, and the morning’s workout was to provide this content. Yes, this horse really IS a rock star! While the video is being edited together in the coming weeks, we’ll keep in touch with Michelle and let everyone know when it’s been released.
Back to the work ... or rather, waiting to work. As we approached the gap where the horses enter, it was clear that the tractors grooming the track during the break still had a couple of passes to make before workouts could continue. As we’ve done on many occasions, we stood and waited. For humans to stand still for 5-10 minutes is a stretch. Just try it yourself some time. Stand perfectly still, without shifting or bouncing, and just take in everything around you. I know I couldn’t do it.
The fact that this three-year old colt can do just that amazes me. Other horses have to be constantly walked, or they pace or dance around, but Chrome just stands still, with his head held high, taking in the scenery. He put a big smile on my face when he gave me a look of recognition as I stepped in front of him to start taking photos and video. Or perhaps it was just his love of the camera.
Chrome and Victor looked comfortable and relaxed as they started backtracking to warm up. When it came time to leave the pony escorting him, Victor advised the pony rider, Danielle, that the colt would break pretty quickly once he was turned loose. Danielle chuckled later as she shared this with me, relating that she's generally ponying quarter horses. For those who have not seen a quarter horse come out of the gate or depart from their pony for a workout, they tend to break in a fast, less than organized fashion. Chrome’s departure was smooth and quick, and Danielle and her pony took it in stride.
Gliding around the track in pink wraps to mark the team’s support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the horse worked really well. As he came around the final turn and bolted past me, I shot the video footage that I would send to Nashville - a shiny copper penny racing down the home stretch, Victor calm and composed as he guided Chrome along the rail. With the team satisfied with his workout, we all headed back to the barn and his groom, Raul Rodriguez, who was waiting, as usual, to clean up this equine athlete, apply all of his post-workout treatments, and serve him lunch. I poked my head into the stall to say goodbye and saw a happy horse, head in his feed bucket, munching away on a meal well deserved.