California Chrome gets back to the track

CYPRESS, Calif. –California Chrome was back in action at Los Alamitos on Wednesday morning, jogging four days after finishing second in his 2015 debut in the $590,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita.

The schedule follows a routine set in the last year for California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, according to Alan Sherman, assistant trainer for his father, Art. After three days of walking, California Chrome jogs for a day before resuming galloping.

“He was ready to do something,” Alan Sherman said.

The difference this time is that California Chrome is scheduled to make his first international start in the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 28. Alan Sherman said that California Chrome is tentatively scheduled to have his next workout on Feb. 21.

California Chrome will train at Los Alamitos until about March 18, when he will be flown to the Middle East. Technical matters, such as vaccinations required for the trip, are being handled in coming days.

Owned by breeders Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, California Chrome is best known for winning the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes in consecutive starts last spring. In the San Antonio Stakes, California Chrome led into the stretch but was caught by Shared Belief, who won by 1 1/2 lengths.

Earlier this week, California Chrome earned another trophy. He was honored as the California-bred Horse of the Year for 2014.