California Chrome gets serious in half-mile workout

CYPRESS, Calif. – Workouts became more serious for California Chrome at Los Alamitos on Friday.

For the first time since a fourth-place finish June 7 in the Belmont Stakes, California Chrome was ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza in Friday’s half-mile workout in 47.40 seconds. California Chrome is scheduled to make his comeback Sept. 20 in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing, a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

On Friday, Espinoza worked California Chrome shortly after dawn. Working alone, Espinoza had California Chrome into the workout a few strides before the half-mile pole, going the first quarter-mile in 23 and change, according to trainer Art Sherman.

Espinoza was almost motionless on California Chrome through the stretch, and the horse galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.20.

“He seemed pretty impressive,” Espinoza said after he returned to the barn. “He worked in 47 [seconds], and it was nothing. He’s not breathing that hard at all.”

California Chrome has had three workouts since returning to training in mid-July. Exercise rider Anna Wells worked California Chrome three furlongs Aug. 8 and a half-mile Aug. 15. Sherman sought a more serious work Friday.

“It was okay the other way with maintenance,” Sherman said. “He looked like his old self today.”

Owned by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, California Chrome won six consecutive stakes from December to mid-May, including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. California Chrome had a five-week break after the Belmont Stakes at Sherman’s barn at Los Alamitos and at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., before resuming exercise in mid-July.

Sherman said there is ample time to have California Chrome ready for the rich race at Parx.

“This particular horse doesn’t need a lot of hard works,” he said. “He keeps himself fit. The five weeks off wasn’t a long time, especially with his campaign.”

Sherman said California Chrome will be shipped to Philadelphia about five days before the race to have a chance to acclimate to the track and school in the starting gate.