'Chrome Work at Los Al Deemed 'Outstanding'
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Steve Coburn and Perry Martin's Horse of the Year finalist California Chrome had an "outstanding" workout at his home base, Los Alamitos Race Course the morning of Jan. 10.
The homebred son of Lucky Pulpit is preparing for his expected 4-year-old debut in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
With regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard and California Chrome wearing blinkers, the colt, also up for an Eclipse Award as champion male 3-year-old of 2014, went six furlongs in a handy 1:11.60.
Alan Sherman, son of and assistant to trainer Art Sherman, termed the move "outstanding."
"I got him in 1:11 2/5, but the official time was 1:11 3/5," he said.
Los Alamitos head clocker Russ Hudak recorded fractional times of :23 1/5, :47 2/5 and :59 1/5.
"He looked really good," Hudak said. "He was kind of being eased up at the finish."
If the stars align properly, the San Antonio at 1 1/8 miles could bring together Bayern and Shared Belief for a Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) rematch.
Bayern led throughout 1 1/4-mile Classic to win by a nose, with California Chrome third by a neck and Shared Belief four lengths back in fourth after losing considerable ground due to a rough start.
California Chrome, in a weekly work pattern each Saturday, will deviate from his agenda for his next breeze, which will be Monday, Jan. 19, instead of Saturday, Jan. 17.
"Mom, Dad, and I will be in Florida for the Eclipse Awards next Saturday," Sherman said.