California Chrome works five furlongs through fog

CYPRESS, Calif. – Heavy fog prevented a clear view of the start of California Chrome’s workout at Los Alamitos early Saturday. The conditions did not keep trainer Art Sherman from admiring California Chrome as he ran down the stretch.

“He looks like a train coming through there,” Sherman said.

Officially, California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:01.40, moving closer to his first start of the summer in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on July 23.

The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome is unbeaten in three starts this year, including the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26. California Chrome has won 12 of 21 starts and earned $12,532,650. He is the richest North American-based horse in history.

On Saturday, California Chrome worked alone before dawn under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney at a time when the 5-year-old briefly had the track to himself. Gladney jogged and galloped California Chrome down the stretch and around the first turn before beginning the workout at the half-mile pole.

California Chrome was hard to follow from ground level for the first quarter-mile but was visible when he turned into the stretch. He worked the first half-mile in 48.60 seconds and continued a furlong past the finish line.

“He looked like he’s in a light gallop,” Sherman said. “Down the lane, he looked perfect.”

California Chrome has had four workouts since returning to Sherman’s stable on May 1 after a one-month break at Taylor Made Farm. The San Diego Handicap will be the first start of a campaign that’s expected to include the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20 and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

California Chrome races for Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm.

Sherman said he has seen rapid progression in California Chrome since the first of May.

“He gets stronger each week,” Sherman said. “He’s about 15 pounds heavier than when he’s racing.”

Alan Sherman, Art’s son and assistant, said California Chrome weighs 1,115 pounds.

“Between 1,095 and 1,100 is his fighting weight,” Alan Sherman said. “That’s what he weighed in Dubai. He was as fit as he could be for that big race.”