California Chrome puts in five-furlong work for Pegasus World Cup

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The California Chrome show came to Gulfstream Park for the first time on Saturday morning, when the favorite to be crowned the 2016 Horse of the Year breezed an easy, maintenance-like five furlongs in 1:00.74 before a large crowd of onlookers that included both fans and local horsemen.

With regular exercise rider Dihigi Gladney aboard, California Chrome broke off at the five-eighths pole in a nice rhythm and completed his opening quarter in 24.99 seconds and three-eighths in 36.95 before just coasting to the wire while working during a special training period immediately after the renovation break reserved for horses prepping for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28. California Chrome galloped out six panels in 1:14.02.

“I’m really happy with that work,” said Alan Sherman, who is here overseeing California Chrome’s training until his father, trainer Art Sherman, arrives next week. “The track was a little deep, and he covered the ground well. I couldn’t be happier with him. He just goes about his business. He loves to train.”

Gladney said California Chrome also loves to strut his stuff in front of the crowd.

“This horse has a lot of supporters,” said Gladney. “I looked out there before the track closed for the break, and I saw the people piling in. The Chrome Community is strong everywhere. They love this horse everywhere we go. He loves the show.”

California Chrome began his work while one of his 11 Pegasus rivals, Eragon, was completing a half-mile move in 49.93 under jockey Edgar Prado. The Argentine-bred Eragon, who was purchased privately by James McIngvale to fill his slot in the Pegasus World Cup, galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.39 before pulling up six furlongs in 1:17.95.

“I thought he worked fine,” said trainer Laura Wohlers. “He hadn’t worked in a long time, since Dec. 17 in Argentina. Today was the fastest he’s gone in a month, since being stuck in quarantine. He was blowing a little bit, but he caught his breath back pretty quick.”

A field of 12 will contest the nine-furlong Pegasus World Cup, which is expected to feature a rematch between Arrogate and California Chrome, who finished first and second, a half-length apart, in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

While California Chrome commanded the most attention during training hours here Saturday, there were several other works of note during a very busy morning.

Holy Bull Stakes candidate Three Rules was set down for a serious work just prior to the first renovation break, going five furlongs in 58.98 before galloping out six panels in 1:12.91 while kept off the rail to finish with traffic in front of him down the stretch. Three Rules has not started since suffering his lone defeat in six starts as a 2-year-old in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Arguably the most impressive move of the day came a couple of hours later, when 2016 Preakness runner-up Cherry Wine cruised an eye-catching five-eighths from the half-mile pole in 59.57, going easily throughout before galloping out three-quarters in 1:12.02 and pulling up seven furlongs in 1:25.02. Cherry Wine, an easy allowance winner in his only local start last winter, finished a disappointing seventh under allowance conditions as the favorite in his 3-year-old finale at Churchill Downs on Nov. 19.

Cherry Wine is trained by Dale Romans, who is off to a hot start at this meet. Romans also sent out the 9-year-old multimillionaire Prayer for Relief for a big move Saturday, six furlongs from the five-eighths pole in 1:12.22, after which he galloped out seven panels in 1:25.36 and pulled up a mile in 1:39 and change.

Prayer for Relief, who spent much of 2016 racing in Dubai, has banked $2.03 million during his long career but is winless in his last 20 starts dating to the winter of 2013.

• There will be a special 11-race holiday program here Monday, with the main event being a $40,000 statebred allowance/optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. A field of 11 has been entered, with Niche, Just Foolin Around, and the lightly raced Jojo’s Dream among the leading candidates.

Tuesday will be a dark day, with live racing to resume Wednesday.