Chrome Diaries: Getting Back to Business

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The Breeders’ Cup Classic was run a little more than two weeks ago, and this morning was my first visit since that race to watch training at Los Alamitos. 
The rows of horse trailers parked in the lot near the stable gate registered with me this morning, probably because it was actually light when I arrived, as the sun had been up for about 20 minutes and was painting the sky a beautiful blend of pink and blue.

For those who live in Southern California, 55 degrees is cold. Something just happens to you when you move here, even from areas that get a lot of cold and snow. While still pleasant, the morning air was bracing, so I wrapped my scarf around my neck and zipped up my insulated jacket as I walked to the track kitchen.
I found trainer Art Sherman sitting by himself inside the lighted kitchen, waiting to watch his trainees work. As usual, he had a smile for me and started in with good-natured kidding about how I had not returned his call from the previous day. At his urging, I headed for the barn to check on the team and left him to enjoy what was, for now, a quiet morning.
There was little activity on the track and the adjacent barns as I passed, but the barn for Sherman Racing was bustling when I arrived, and there were smiles all around as I greeted friends I had not seen since Santa Anita Park the week of the Breeders’ Cup. 
I walked up the row of stalls to say hello to the horses who were waiting to work, and found Teresita the goat in one of the stalls, tucked away for the early part of the morning to keep her out from under foot.
I love greeting the horses in the morning. Each has his or her own approach to strokes and attention, with most of them trying to get hold of a sleeve or something they can tug on, but some are just sweet and drop their heads in my hands as soon as I walk up to them. This morning they also helped to take the chill off my fingers with their warm, soft muzzles. 
When I stopped at his stall, Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome turned to see me and his ears perked up. More than anything, I think he recognizes my hat, so I wear it almost all the time when I am around him.
Jockey Victor Espinoza has said that he thinks the horse knows me by my hat, and I joke that Victor does, too.
It wasn’t long before the work started rolling out, and a little after 8 a.m. Victor mounted Chrome and was led to the gap in the track by his pony escort, Sage, with rider Danielle aboard. 

Chrome was definitely feeling good this morning. He bounced lightly on his toes as he stepped onto the track and practically danced down the homestretch as he warmed up for the half-mile that was to be his workout.

One of the team golf carts buzzed by my position at the turn at full capacity with team members anxious to get into position to watch and time Chrome’s and Victor’s workout. 

Horses and riders made their way around the first turn, and as they neared their departure point, I could see Victor stand up in his stirrups. As Chrome left his escort, it was as if a race car had been shifted from second to fifth gear without any transition — he jumped like something hit him in the behind and he was rolling.

Whenever I am privileged to watch this magnificent athlete train, I notice something new. This morning it was that you can’t hear him coming. Margaret, an avid fan and team supporter who I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the past few months, brought this to my attention as we stood at the rail and watched him glide by us.

Anyone who has watched racehorses train has experienced the “thundering hoofbeats” that herald the approach of ongoing equines. But Chrome is so light on his feet that you hardly hear a thing as he passes. (The YouTube video of his workout is posted below - check it out and you will see how effortlessly he gallops.)

When we returned to the barn, the horse had barely broken a sweat and acted as if he was ready for more. While groom Raul Rodriguez and his wife, Florentina, attended to Chrome’s cool down and bath, Art and Victor gave interviews to the media.

Both spoke of how well the horse is training, with Victor remarking on how tired he was from holding Chrome back. Everyone on the team was happy with his workout and looking forward to his 4-year-old campaign. 

As the chores around the barn were completed - stalls cleaned, breakfast served, and wraps washed and hung up to dry - assistant trainer Alan Sherman and I chatted about schedules and checked out some posts on Facebook before walking to the parking lot and heading to our respective homes.

Next week the team will relocate to Del Mar to train and prepare for one of the races for which the colt is nominated on Nov. 29. His work on the turf next Sunday morning will determine which race he enters, but either way, you should come out to watch him if you are able. I think it’s going to give the folks who vote for Horse of the Year something to consider.