California Chrome connections plan colt's return

California Chrome is two weeks into his summer vacation in central California, while plans are underway for his comeback to training and a possible public appearance in August at Del Mar.

California Chrome is turned out at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., where he was foaled and raised. He is scheduled to remain there until approximately Aug. 1, when he returns to trainer Art Sherman’s base at Los Alamitos.

California Chrome will not return to racing until the autumn, but there are tentative plans for him to be paraded before the public Aug. 24 at Del Mar on Pacific Classic Day, Sherman said.

“They’ve been asking me, and I think we’ll do that,” he said.

California Chrome lost a bid for the Triple Crown when he finished in a dead heat for fourth June 7 in the Belmont Stakes. Although no definite plans have been made for his next start, there is a chance California Chrome could start at Santa Anita in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes against older horses, a race that is expected to be run Sept. 27.

Sherman said he misses having the popular 3-year-old in his stable and is planning a trip to see California Chrome next week. California Chrome was hand-walked in a paddock at Harris Farms the first week he was there. Since last Friday, California Chrome has been turned out in a paddock on his own.

“They’ve let him be a horse,” Sherman said.