California Chrome sizzles in workout

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome added blinkers for a between-races workout Saturday at Los Alamitos, and the result was a solid six-furlong move that puts him on target for a Sept. 20 comeback in the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

Jockey Victor Espinoza, who worked the Kentucky Derby winner for trainer Art Sherman and assistant Alan Sherman, said there was a big difference between his workout Saturday and his workout one week ago.

“I was a little disappointed with his last work; today, everything changed completely,” Espinoza said. “Today, I was really pleased. It was an excellent work.”

California Chrome came onto the track between the third and fourth races at 3:15 p.m. Pacific. He backtracked to 100 yards before the finish line, in front the grandstand, and then turned around for his workout.

Working by himself, California Chrome broke off at the six-furlong pole. Espinoza kept him off the rail as he scooted through an opening quarter-mile in 24.60 seconds, a half in 47.80, five furlongs in 59, and six furlongs in 1:10.37.

Designed to be a slow-early, fast-late drill, California Chrome did exactly that as Espinoza kept him off the rail.

“He was more focused [with blinkers],” Espinoza said. “The turns here are a little tight; I kept him in the middle of the track.”

Art and Alan Sherman watched the work along with co-owner Steve Coburn. Alan Sherman was surprised at the workout time.

“It was a little fast; he wasn’t planning him to work fast,” Sherman said. “The blinkers got him a little more focused.”

California Chrome will work again next weekend at Los Alamitos and then ship to Parx on Sept. 16 for the Grade 2, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby. Alan Sherman was asked if California Chrome was “all the way back” after the workout.

“After this race [the Pennsylvania Derby], he’ll be all the way back,” Sherman said. “Shared Belief is a damn good horse.”

Shared Belief, the Pacific Classic winner, and California Chrome could meet for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.