California Chrome gets schooled at Los Alamitos

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome jogged and galloped nearly two miles and was schooled in the starting gate at Los Alamitos on Thursday.

During a 15-minute span in which he had the track to himself, California Chrome was jogged to the gate, where he stood briefly. Trainer Art Sherman said California Chrome has been schooled in the starting gate two or three times a week since his win in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5.

After walking out of the gate, California Chrome jogged for a half-mile and then slowly picked up the pace under exercise rider Willie Delgado. On the second of two circuits of the one-mile track at Los Alamitos, California Chrome was more aggressive and under some restraint by Delgado.

“The second time, he’s all business,” Sherman said. “He’s a different horse. When he comes back to the barn, he doesn’t take a deep breath.”

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

California Chrome is scheduled to have his final workout before the Kentucky Derby at Los Alamitos on Saturday. He will be flown to Churchill Downs early Monday and is set to arrive around lunchtime.

Sherman said that at Churchill Downs, he will have California Chrome focus on gallops and let the colt become familiar with the paddock and starting gate.

“I’ll take him in the paddock and school him,” Sherman said. “He’s been such a cool horse. He’s fun to train. He never turns a hair.”

California Chrome has won 6 of 10 starts and earned $1,134,850 for breeders Steve Coburn and Perry Martin. A California-bred by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has won his last four starts. He won the Santa Anita Derby by 5 1/4 lengths.

“The weight has been staying on him,” Sherman said. “He’s shining like a new penny.”