California Chrome has first breeze since Belmont

CYPRESS, Calif. – Almost nine weeks after finishing fourth in the Belmont Stakes in a bid to sweep the Triple Crown, California Chrome had the first workout of his comeback at Los Alamitos on Friday, going three furlongs in 37.60 seconds.

The way California Chrome finished left trainer Art Sherman anxious for the start of the popular colt’s autumn campaign next month.

Sherman timed California Chrome in 37.37 seconds, including an opening furlong in 13.20 seconds under exercise rider Anna Wells. California Chrome accelerated through the quarter-mile stretch, running the last two furlongs in 24.17.

“He was something the last part,” Sherman said. “That’s the way he does it. He picks it up and goes.”

California Chrome jogged nearly a mile clockwise prior to the workout. He broke off at the end of the Los Alamitos backstretch and began the work slowly. Wells did not urge California Chrome, who quickened visibly in early stretch.

“When he strides out, he’s a different horse,” Sherman said. “He does it so effortlessly.”

For Wells, who turned 22 on Friday, the workout was the first time she had been aboard California Chrome for such an occasion.

“He does all the work,” Wells said. “He started to pick it up on his own.”

In the past, jockey Victor Espinoza rode California Chrome for most of his workouts, and he’s likely to do so later this month. Willie Delgado is California Chrome’s regular exercise rider.

California Chrome was rested at Sherman’s barn for two weeks after the Belmont before spending three weeks in the paddocks at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif. California Chrome returned to Los Alamitos on July 17.

For Friday’s workout, co-owner Steve Coburn flew from his home near Reno, Nev. Coburn and Perry Martin bred and race California Chrome, who has won 8 of 13 starts and $3,532,650. California Chrome won six consecutive stakes from December through May, a span that included the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Coburn saw California Chrome at Harris Farms last month and said Friday he was pleased with the colt’s progress.

“He’s a little in front of the curve,” Coburn said. “He didn’t lose a lot when he was away.”

A comeback has not been finalized, but two options are the $200,000 Los Alamitos Mile on Sept. 20 or the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 27.

“I do want to stay in California,” Sherman said.