California Chrome will work next weekend as first step toward Pegasus

DEL MAR, Calif. – California Chrome has come out of his runner-up effort in last week’s Breeders’ Cup Classic in such good shape that trainer Art Sherman said he’ll need to give him a workout next Saturday as the horse begins preparations for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.

“He came out of it good. He’s a remarkable horse,” Sherman said Sunday morning at Del Mar. “I’ll give him an easy half next Saturday. I’ve got to do something with him. He’s pretty strong.”

California Chrome, who is stabled at Los Alamitos, went back to the track to jog and then gallop only a few days after the Classic.

“We couldn’t keep him on the ground after three days,” Sherman said.

The Pegasus is scheduled to be California Chrome’s final start before he begins stud duty next spring.

Sherman said he likely would train California Chrome up to the Pegasus, but said he would consider a prep if he needs it. He said California Chrome likely would be nominated to the Grade 3, $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday at Gulfstream on Dec. 17.

Even if California Chrome doesn’t run in the Harlan’s Holiday, Sherman said he anticipates sending him to Florida well in front of the Pegasus.

“Maybe three weeks out, give him a couple of works there,” Sherman said.

Sherman said his son and assistant, Alan, and exercise rider Dihigi Gladney would go to Florida for the whole time, similar to how they handled sending California Chrome to Dubai earlier this year.

“They’re planning on renting a beach house,” Sherman said.

Sherman said he was happy with the way California Chrome ran in the Classic, and marveled at how far in front of the field he and the victorious Arrogate finished.

“It was an amazing race," he said. "They were almost 11 lengths in front of the third horse."

Yet a few days after the race, California Chrome had to be taken to the track at Los Alamitos to train.