California Chrome clears quarantine, begins vacation at Taylor Made Farm

California Chrome, winner of the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26, began a month-long vacation at Taylor Made Farm late Sunday afternoon, arriving at the farm in Nicholasville, Ky., after a six-hour van ride from Chicago.

California Chrome completed quarantine in Chicago on Sunday morning following his journey back to the United States.

April will be a low-key month for California Chrome, according to co-owner Frank Taylor. One objective in coming weeks will be a physical examination with X-rays, according to Taylor.

Taylor said prominent veterinarian Larry Bramlage will give California Chrome a physical this month to compare the current condition of the popular 5-year-old horse with an exam taken last summer.

“We want to see the X-rays and compare them from before,” Taylor said. “We’ve got a chance to do it now.”

Taylor said that no concerns have arisen since California Chrome’s emphatic victory in the Dubai World Cup.

“He’s been perfect,” he said.

California Chrome became the richest North American Thoroughbred with the win in Dubai, improving his career record to 12 wins in 21 starts and earnings of $12,532,650. Taylor Made owns a minority share of California Chrome with Perry Martin, who bred the horse with Steve Coburn. Taylor Made bought Coburn’s ownership share last year. California Chrome will stand at Taylor Made Farm in 2017.

Late Sunday afternoon, California Chrome’s main objective was checking out his surroundings at the farm southwest of Lexington, Ky.

“He’s rolling around in his stall,” Taylor said. “He looks unbelievable. I bet he didn’t lose five or 10 pounds. He had fluids before he left. He had fluids when he had his layover in Amsterdam and in Chicago.

“We’ll give him 30 days in the paddock and let him relax and get a break.”

Having the 2014 Horse of the Year around the farm will make for a special month.

“We’re excited about it,” Taylor said.

Taylor said there is some flexibility built into the April schedule, but that California Chrome is scheduled to return to trainer Art Sherman’s stable at Los Alamitos in early May.

The main race goal for California Chrome in the second half of 2016 is the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, with an expected prep in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20.