California Chrome impresses clocker in mile workout

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome worked a mile in 1:41.40 at Los Alamitos on Sunday. The work was designated by track clockers as breezing, which is a rarity in Southern California. The designation means that California Chrome worked under minimal urging from jockey Victor Espinoza.

The 2014 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old, California Chrome had his longest workout of the year on Sunday, and his second-to-last workout before a scheduled start in the $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 7.

According to Los Alamitos official clocker Russ Hudak, California Chrome worked a quarter-mile in 25.60 seconds, a half-mile in 51 seconds, six furlongs in 1:15.60, and seven furlongs in 1:29. California Chrome wears blinkers when he races and he wore them during the work.

Nearly all workouts at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita are designated as handily, meaning the horse is urged at some point by the rider. Hudak went with the description of breezing after watching California Chrome glide through the stretch.

“I think it’s the first one I’ve given this year,” he said.

Trainer Art Sherman said he would have preferred a quicker workout, but acknowledged Espinoza did not urge California Chrome. California Chrome worked alone, and briefly had the track to himself. He quickened noticeably at the end of the backstretch, ran smoothly through the stretch, and quickened again on the first turn before finishing the workout at the start of the backstretch.

“He was just cruising,” Sherman said. “I would have liked to let him run a little bit. I’m not worried about him being fit. He’s so strong right now.”
Espinoza said California Chrome can be deceptive, covering considerable ground easily.

“I think it was an awesome work,” he said. “He’s fit and he’s ready.”

California Chrome ended last year with a win in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on turf at Del Mar on Nov. 29, his fourth Grade 1 stakes win of the year and his most recent start.

The San Antonio Stakes is run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, and will be a stern test for his first start of the year. The race is expected to attract Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013 who won the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 26.

“We’ll have to run a mile and an eighth,” Sherman said. “Shared Belief is no slouch. I want to make sure at the head of the stretch we find out who is the best horse. They’re both coming off good races at that track, so there is no excuse.

California Chrome and Shared Belief were third and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

Trainer Bob Baffert said on Sunday that Bayern is doubtful for the San Antonio. Bayern, the BC Classic winner, has been battling foot issues and has not worked since Jan. 3, but he has returned to galloping.

California Chrome is owned by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin. The colt has won 9 of 16 starts and earned $4,222,650. The San Antonio is considered a prep for the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on March 28.