California Chrome targeting February prep for Dubai World Cup

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome is likely to have the first start of his 2016 Dubai campaign in a $150,000 handicap at Meydan Racecourse on Feb. 25, rather than the $400,000 Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge on March 5, trainer Art Sherman said at Los Alamitos on Wednesday.

The main goal for California Chrome this spring is the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 26. Last year, California Chrome was second in the Dubai World Cup to Prince Bishop in his final start of the year.

The timing of the Feb. 25 race in relation to the Dubai World Cup has more appeal to Sherman than running California Chrome on March 5. The Feb. 25 handicap is run over the same track and 1 1/4-mile distance as the Dubai World Cup. According to the conditions of the race, no runner will carry more than 60 kilograms, or approximately 132 pounds.

California Chrome arrived in Dubai last Friday and began exercising Monday after clearing quarantine. Art’s son and assistant, Alan, is in Dubai.

“Alan texted me that the horse looks good,” Art Sherman said. “He’s been galloping for a few days, and he looks good.”

If California Chrome starts in the handicap, he will follow a race pattern similar to Curlin’s in 2008. Months after winning the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park, Curlin ran in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse in late February 2008 and won the Dubai World Cup a month later. Meydan replaced Nad Al Sheba as the Dubai World Cup venue in 2010.

California Chrome won his 2016 debut in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 9. A 5-year-old California-bred, California Chrome has won 10 of 19 starts and earned $6,442,650.

The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome races for Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm. Martin bred and owned California Chrome with Steve Coburn. Taylor Made bought Coburn’s share last summer. California Chrome will stand at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky in 2017.