California Chrome sharpens for San Antonio

ARCADIA, Calif. – California Chrome continued his pattern of strong works in preparation for next month’s San Antonio Stakes when he went six furlongs Saturday morning in 1:11.60 at Los Alamitos. The time was the fastest of 16 works at the distance.

Art Sherman, the trainer of California Chrome, had him galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25.40.

Per usual, regular rider Victor Espinoza was aboard for the work, and California Chrome went by himself. Sherman put blinkers on California Chrome for the work, “which I do when I want him to work faster,” Sherman said.

“It was a good work. He’s strong,” Sherman said.

California Chrome – winner last year of four Grade 1 races, including Kentucky Derby -- is scheduled to make his first start of 2015 on Feb. 7 in the San Antonio, a Grade 2, $500,000 race at 1 1/8 miles that is also expected to lure Shared Belief. Bayern, however, is questionable for the race.

The San Antonio, for older horses, is the major local prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.

Sherman was scheduled to be at Santa Anita later Saturday with the owners and breeders of California Chrome, Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, to accept the Vox Populi Award. It could be the start of a big week for California Chrome, who next Saturday is a finalist for Eclipse Awards as champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year.

Bayern and Shared Belief are the other finalists for champion 3-year-old male. Bayern is also up for Horse of the Year, along with the older turf horse Main Sequence.

At Santa Anita on Saturday morning, Texas Red, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and a finalist for champion male 2-year-old, worked an easy six furlongs from the gate in 1:17.80 for trainer and co-owner Keith Desormeaux.

Firing Line, the runner-up in last month’s Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity, worked a half-mile in 48 seconds for trainer Simon Callaghan.

Sam’s Sister, winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes, worked five furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Sam’s Sister is scheduled to run next weekend, in either the La Canada Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Saturday, or the Santa Monica Stakes at seven furlongs on Jan. 19. Both are Grade 2, $200,000 races.

Lady Pimpernel, winner of the Robert Frankel Stakes in her last start, worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds for trainer Carla Gaines.