California Chrome has final pre-Breeders' Cup workout

CYPRESS, Calif. – After California Chrome worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds Saturday at Los Alamitos, his final workout before the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, Art Sherman had flashbacks.

Watching the solo workout, Sherman said California Chrome’s exercise reminded him of springtime workouts when the popular 3-year-old colt was in the midst of a six-race winning streak that included the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness Stakes.

“He finished well in hand, and that’s what I wanted to see,” Sherman said. “He’s training like his old self, before the Santa Anita Derby. I’m pumped up. We hope we’ll see the real California Chrome, since he was on the winning streak.”

California Chrome has lost his last two starts. He was fourth in the Belmont Stakes on June 7, losing a shot to sweep the Triple Crown, and was sixth of eight in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 20, his first start in more than three months.

California Chrome had the track to himself for his workout Saturday. Entering the track shortly after a renovation at 8 a.m., California Chrome jogged down the stretch accompanied by a pony and broke away on the backstretch, quickly increasing the tempo to a gallop.

He was running at good speed before the five-furlong marker, when the workout officially began. Ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, California Chrome was not urged through the stretch over a track that has produced quick times.

California Chrome worked the first quarter-mile in 24.20 and a half-mile in 48, according to Los Alamitos clocker Russ Hudak.

Sherman said he did not want too quick of a workout, hoping to save something for the BC Classic over 1 1/4 miles.

“If we’d clucked to him, he could have gone in 57 and change,” Sherman said. “The last quarter-mile, it doesn’t look like he’s going any place, and he’s clicking it off.”

Sherman timed California Chrome in 59.20 seconds, galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.60.

Owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, California Chrome has won 8 of 14 starts and earned $3,542,650. He soared to national popularity with his wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but will not be favored in the BC Classic, a role that will go to Shared Belief, the undefeated champion 2-year-old male of 2013.

The two never have run in the same race.

“Let the pressure be on Shared Belief,” Sherman said.

Sherman said California Chrome will be sent the 30-mile journey to Santa Anita on Sunday morning and will train there in the buildup to the BC Classic.