California Chrome, Nyquist, Stellar Wind put in works

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome is midway between starts in late summer and early fall.

The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome won the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20 and will have his next start in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1. The main goal in the coming months is the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

On Saturday at Los Alamitos, where trainer Art Sherman is based, California Chrome had a slick five-furlong workout in 1:00.80, finishing without urging from exercise rider Dihigi Gladney.

Officially, the workout was described as “handily.” Gladney begged to differ, saying California Chrome was moving much easier.

“That was a breeze,” he said.

California Chrome was one of three champions who worked at three venues in Southern California on Saturday.

Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita. Nyquist, the champion 2-year-old male of 2015 and the winner of the Kentucky Derby in May, worked a mile in 1:39.80 at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in San Diego County.

California Chrome drew a small crowd of about 150 people for his workout, part of a promotion of California Chrome Day in Cypress, where Los Alamitos is located.

In several ways, this was a routine workout for California Chrome. He had the track to himself for a few minutes after a renovation period.

Typical of several of California Chrome’s workouts in recent months, there was little emphasis on speed. Gladney jogged California Chrome through the stretch before the horse broke into a gallop on the backstretch.

Gladney said California Chrome can be a handful to ride at the start of a workout and often wants to do more than needed.

“He’ll pull a lot of bit if you don’t watch him,” he said.

Sherman timed California Chrome in 36.80 seconds for the first three furlongs and in 24 seconds for the final quarter-mile. Sherman has seldom wanted California Chrome to show speed in workouts. California Chrome galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.20.

“I want the freshness,” Sherman said. “Fitness, I’m not worried. I don’t want a hard and fast work in him.”

Nyquist has been at San Luis Rey Downs for the last month and will remain there until he leaves on Sept. 21 for a start in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 24.

In Saturday’s workout, Nyquist ran the opening furlong in 13.60 seconds, trainer Doug O’Neill said.

“He had a good blowout of it and recovered quickly,” O’Neill said.

Nyquist has not raced since finishing fourth in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 31. O’Neill said Nyquist’s fitness will not be an issue for the Pennsylvania Derby.

“My gut tells me he will be [fit],” O’Neill said. “He’s galloping all through the week, and he’s a happy, fit horse. He’s grown two inches since the early spring, and he’s filled out.

“He’s in a good zone.”

Stellar Wind has not raced since winning the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar on July 30. She is scheduled to have her next start in the $300,000 Zenyatta Stakes for fillies and mares at Santa Anita on Oct. 1.

Stellar Wind worked in company with a stablemate and was joined by a third horse from a different stable, according to trainer John Sadler.

“She looked very sharp,” Sadler said. “She has two more works before the Zenyatta. We’re right on schedule.”