Chrome Diaries: Another Successful Test

Yesterday afternoon, with little fanfare, champion colt California Chrome rolled onto the backside of Del Mar.  I was not on the grounds as I was with a friend who was under the weather and in need of my help, but I got regular updates from exercise rider Anna Wells and trainer Art Sherman that Chrome was safe and calm and happily settling into what is to be his home for the next eight days.

Bright and early this morning I gave my friend, groom Raul Rodriquez, a cheerful good hello and saw for myself that Chrome was playful and feeling ready to work.  With their trainee set to try the turf this morning, and as that course doesn’t open for training until 9:45 a.m., Art and his son, assistant trainer Alan Sherman, took the opportunity to address other business before heading to the track.

The cool morning air and a sense that he was here to work had Chrome dancing in his stall and reaching for anyone who passed close to him as he tried to call everyone into his service.  Going about business around the barn and trying to ignore the gorgeous chestnut was the order of the day, in the hope that he might settle down a little and stop begging for food and treats.  I’m not sure that our strategy really worked, though.
Once we were within 45 minutes of the scheduled workout time, Alan started letting Raul know to take certain steps to get the colt ready to head to the track.  As the process got underway, jockey Victor Espinoza arrived with a broad smile.  He had been concerned that he would not be able to locate the team, not knowing which barn we were in, but his cheerful demeanor as he took up post outside Chrome’s stall said that all was well and he was ready to see how his mount liked the grass.

Raul readied his charge with brisk skill.  As he wrapped the colt’s legs in bandages I marveled at the speed and precision with which he worked.  Anyone who has tried to wrap a horse’s legs knows that if you get things just a little out of whack, it’s really best to just start over.  A little wrinkle in the tape not only looks bad, but it can affect the horse.  As the tasks of getting Chrome ready for the track this morning were completed, there was no one in view of Raul’s work who would rate it as anything but superb.

At Alan’s direction, and with Art and a field of media and team members looking on, Raul brought Chrome out of his stall to walk around in front of the shed row, to calm the colt down and get ready for Victor to get his leg up.  Once in the saddle, Victor and Chrome were led out by track pony Money and his rider Rudy, who navigated their way to the gap on the backside with little effort, Chrome and Victor falling in step next to them and Alan and crew walking behind.

The team stepped onto the poly surface around the middle of the first turn and hugged the wall created by the rail and canvas tarp at their backs.  It was from this vantage point that Alan would watch Chrome work, while Art took up position on the second level of the Clubhouse.  Barely a word was spoken as we stood and watched Chrome and Money coast around the turn in their warm up, before Victor stood up in his stirrups and guided Chrome into an easy 4 furlong gallop.

Even from a distance I could see the crowd of Chromies who had come out this morning to watch their favorite Thoroughbred work.  As Chrome and Victor glided past our position, they looked smooth and fluid as they began to ease up around the turn.  As soon as they passed, Alan was satisfied and without a word, turned and started walking back to the barn.

We walked in silence, as we often do.  My favorite thing that Alan says is “uneventful is good”.  This was just another day, seeing how their trainee would do under new conditions, and everyone seemed happy with his energy and the outcome.  After he was untacked and cooled down, Art headed to the winners’ circle for a press conference to share his thoughts on the day’s work.
I don’t know about you, but if I were standing in from of a microphone and looked across the track to see my face in huge relief on the enormous screen in the infield, I might get a little flummoxed (and I have a theater background).  Not Art Sherman.  With poise and ease he answered questions about the work and his tendency to favor the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby, though he offered no firm commitment, stating that he will have Chrome on the turf again on Thursday.  (As reported in various media outlets, Art felt that numerous detractions had the colt wondering if he was working or playing, so he’ll test him once more before saying definitively which race he will contest on Saturday.)

Leaving Art in good hands on the front side, Anna and I walked back to the barn to get ready for their entry in the second race on the day’s card.  Without going into great detail, I will say that being an assistant for the afternoon was a fascinating experience, and the five or six trips that I made from the backside to the frontside will more than justify anything I decide to eat this evening, and will ensure a solid night’s sleep.
It will be brief, though, as I will meet Raul and Art before daybreak for what is supposed to be a light day.  Regardless of the audience and the nature of his training, I won’t miss a day of my favorite photography subject’s reign in San Diego.  The way that he poses for me, I’d like to think that he would be disappointed if I did.