Chrome Diaries: Team Sherman Ready to Roll

The crowds over the last two days at Santa Anita Park have gotten bigger, both on and off the track, as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships draw near. 
While activity around the barn has increased, the Sherman Racing team continues its focus on preparing their chestnut colt, California Chrome, for a his race on Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Santa Anita is a busy place — even before the sun comes up — and after seeing the swarm of horses and riders circling the track on Tuesday morning, assistant trainer Alan Sherman chose to wait for things to clear a little on Wednesday before taking Chrome to the track. 
Exercise rider Willie Delgado stroked the colt’s neck and talked to him while they waited about 30 yards from the gap in the track, standing back to allow other horses to enter and begin their work.

After a fluid gallop, Alan stood Chrome in the starting gate at the end of the chute, and the day’s schooling went off without any of Tuesday’s acrobatics. Chrome was alert and agile, but calmer due to the change in timing and expert handling.
A short break for food, coffee and catching up with new arrivals at Clocker’s Corner was followed by the daily press briefing where Alan made a statement expressing how pleased he was with Chrome’s training, and the time and nature of the next day’s training, before he answered a few questions. 
Everyone then headed back to the barn where jockey Victor Espinoza, Alan and California Chrome received some gifts from the Anaheim Ducks National Hockey League organization and posed for photos with some of the team’s cheerleaders.

While photos were being taken, the playful colt tossed around a blanket that was part of the hockey team’s show of support, and everyone joked that it was the closest Victor had been to this horse without being in the saddle. (Most people know by now that Chrome is known to bite, especially those who are closest to him. It’s how horses play and show affection, but since humans have thinner skin, it really hurts!) 

Alan’s hand was on Chrome’s halter, keeping him from getting too spunky, and Victor took the opportunity to pet the neck of his mount for the Classic.

The soft expression on Victor's face and the genuine affection expressed was truly touching.

As one of the top jockeys in Thoroughbred racing, Victor has raced thousands of horses, and he has told me on several occasions that this is a very smart, very special horse.  This jockey’s opinion matters, and a bit of time with this talented horse leaves you with that impression, as well.

With training complete for the day and visitors departing, Chrome was happily waiting for his groom, Raul Rodriquez, to bring his lunch … and some cookies.

The rest of the team headed in separate directions, but would meet up later for the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters annual awards dinner, being held at The Derby, a local favorite restaurant. Trainer Art Sherman was getting an award, and everyone wanted to be on time.

The mood was festive as the sun began to set and the tent in the parking lot of The Derby began to fill up. Sherman Racing team members were joined by Steve and Carolyn Coburn, co-owners of California Chrome. I spent some time with this couple while we were at Parx Racing for the Pennsylvania Derby and am very fond of them. 
They are genuine and fun-loving folks, and they greeted me with a hug and a kiss. The Coburns had stopped by the barn to say hello to Chrome a little earlier in the day, enjoyed some racing at Santa Anita, and began telling stories and joking with Art, Alan and the team without skipping a beat upon their arrival.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner, and Art had some time to trade stories with Hall of Fame jockeys Angel Cordero Jr. and Laffit Pincay Jr. before the awards ceremony began.

Cot Campbell, Tom LaMarra and Charlsie Cantey received writing and broadcasting awards, and Art was presented with the Mr. Fitz Award, named for legendary trainer James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimons and presented annually to someone who “typifies the spirit of racing.” 
As Art spoke about what this award meant to him, as well as the support of everyone present, I was so proud to be able to call this true and humble man my friend.
With a few more photos taken and heartfelt congratulations expressed, it was the end of another long and happy day.
Morning broke on Thursday with the most glorious light show that we have seen in this Breeders’ Cup week.

Art was finally with us at the barn prior to Chrome training (he was running the show at Los Alamitos until this morning), and we walked as a group to the front side of Santa Anita to watch Willie and Chrome gallop. 

The patio at Clocker’s Corner was bustling with activity, and Art wasn’t able to walk more than a dozen yards at a time without someone - fan or friend or colleague - stopping him to chat, joke or ask for an autograph. Every encounter was met with a smile and trademark laugh.

Chrome galloped out smoothly, then made the slow walk back to the chute where Alan was waiting to lead him back to the barn. 

As Team Chrome made its way to join them, I walked next to Art. This morning I was intensely aware of all the eyes, and lenses, pointed in our direction. Though no one was intending to film or photograph me, there I was, next to one of the most popular men in Thoroughbred racing: the trainer for California Chrome. I recognize every day just how lucky I am to be where I am, doing what I love with these amazing and talented people. This morning the feeling was at its most significant.
Television and radio interviews for Art and Alan were broken up by a press briefing that had two old friends, Art and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains the morning-line favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Shared Belief, talking about their years in racing and reaching this point in their careers to share the spotlight in advance of the Classic.

Both men had obviously enjoyed the very different paths that had brought them to this point. They spoke with mutual respect for each other and the other teams entered in the race, and were having fun this morning, too.
Immediately after the final question was answered, Art hurried off to a live interview in the HRTV studio, situated at the entrance to the grandstand, facing the paddock.

As we parted company, he clapped his hands together in front of him, another trademark Sherman move, picked up his pace a little and said “Let’s roll!”