California Chrome looks smooth in gallop

ARCADIA, Calif. – California Chrome was well into a routine gallop at Santa Anita on Wednesday morning when assistant trainer Alan Sherman reflected on the popular horse’s stride.

“He doesn’t have any wasted motion,” Sherman said. “His stride is so efficient.”

California Chrome galloped 1 3/4 miles under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney. California Chrome will start as a heavy favorite in Saturday’s $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita, seeking to extend his undefeated record this year to six races.

The Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes will be the first start at Santa Anita for California Chrome since he won the Grade 2 San Pasqual in January. California Chrome’s other wins this year include the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March, the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap in July, and the $1 million Pacific Classic in August.

Sherman, son of trainer Art Sherman, said California Chrome needed no time to transition from the stable’s base at Los Alamitos to a week at Santa Anita for Saturday’s race. California Chrome has trained at Santa Anita since Monday.

“He takes to every place,” Alan Sherman said. “He was pretty forward the first few days. He wants to let everyone know he’s here.”