California Chrome gets feel for turf before Hollywood Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. – California Chrome, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, worked a half-mile on turf in 52 seconds on Sunday morning at Del Mar in what was to serve as a test drive for a scheduled start Saturday in the Grade 1, $300,000 Hollywood Derby here.

His trainer, Art Sherman, later Sunday morning said he was “satisfied with the work” and planned to enter California Chrome at entry time Wednesday. Sherman also said he hoped to get California Chrome back on the turf early Thursday morning so he could open gallop through the lane.

“Just to make sure he likes it,” Sherman said.

California Chrome had the course to himself shortly after 9:30 a.m., before the other scheduled turf workers had their drills. With regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard, he left the pony at the 4 1/2-furlong pole, began the work at the half-mile pole, and was never asked by Espinoza while finishing with his ears forward, eager to do more.

A crowd of several hundred turned out for the work.

Sherman did not put blinkers on California Chrome because the emphasis on this work was neither time nor fitness, but on getting used to a surface over which he had never worked, let alone has raced.

“You put blinkers on, you get him all stirred up. It’s a whole new ballgame,” Sherman said.

California Chrome did seem a bit tentative when he first left the pony, but then settled into a smooth, efficient stride. He was well out past the middle of the course owing to the placement of orange cones, known as dogs.

“Victor thought he went good. He knew he was going slow,” Sherman said. “They were six feet from the outside fence. He was pricking his ears. Victor said he felt smooth underneath him.”

Clockers termed the move “breezing,” a designation given out infrequently in California. There were 20 other turf works on Sunday morning, all receiving the designation “handily.”

California Chrome’s time was the slowest of the seven horses who worked a half-mile. The fastest was turned in by Kaigun, who went in 46.80 seconds in preparation for the Grade 2, $250,000 Seabiscuit Handicap for older horses on Friday.

In addition to California Chrome, the Hollywood Derby field is expected to include Flamboyant, Home Run Kitten, Sawyer’s Hill, Talco, and the filly Lexie Lou, winner of the Queen’s Plate.

California Chrome trains regularly at Los Alamitos. He came here on Saturday and will remain here the rest of the week. Sherman said California Chrome would walk on Monday and jog on Tuesday, which is his normal routine following a workout.

Sherman is desirous of trying California Chrome on turf. He said he “talked the owners into it,” referring to Steve Coburn and majority owner Perry Martin. He also said he believed a win in the Hollywood Derby would enhance California Chrome’s credentials for Horse of the Year.

The past 24 hours had been stressful for Sherman. His son and top assistant, Alan, left Del Mar Saturday afternoon complaining of chest pains and went to the emergency room at a local hospital. According to Sherman, doctors diagnosed Alan, 45, with bronchitis and asthma.

“He’s resting at home today,” Sherman said Sunday morning.