Hollywood Park: California Chrome eyes Hollywood Juvenile Championship

California Chrome will be a California-bred 2-year-old colt to follow this summer.

On Friday, in his second start, California Chrome won a maiden special weight race over 4 1/2 furlongs by 2 3/4 lengths in 52.42 seconds. A colt by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome was second in his debut April 26.

Art Sherman trains California Chrome for breeders Martin Perry and Steve Coburn.

Sherman said Sunday that California Chrome is likely to skip the $100,000 Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs June 15 in favor of the $150,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship on July 13.

“I think the farther he goes, the better,” Sherman said. “He came out of his race in good shape.”

Sherman also has his high eye on two stakes for California-bred juveniles at Del Mar this summer – the $100,000 Graduation Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs July 31 and the $150,000 I’m Smokin Stakes over six furlongs Sept. 2.

• Mizdirection, expected to make her next start in the $500,000 Just A Game Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, worked six furlongs on turf in 1:15.60 on Sunday.

Trained by Mike Puype for a partnership, Mizdirection has won her last four starts, a streak that began with a victory against males in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last November.