California Chrome works five furlongs toward Dubai World Cup

CYPRESS, Calif. – With a little coaching via walkie-talkie, California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00 on Friday at Los Alamitos as he prepares for the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 28.

Exercise rider Anna Wells was aboard for the workout, replacing jockey Victor Espinoza, who has ridden California Chrome for a majority of his recent workouts. Wells, a stable rider for trainer Art Sherman, was fitted with a walkie-talkie, allowing assistant trainer Alan Sherman to communicate with her during the workout.

The 2014 Horse of the Year began the workout slowly, going the first furlong in 14 seconds, according to Art Sherman. At that point, Alan Sherman urged Wells to go “faster.” California Chrome responded. Sherman timed California Chrome going “11 [seconds] and change” for each furlong through the rest of the workout.

Sherman timed California Chrome in 59.80 seconds and galloping out six furlongs in 1:13.80.

“This was very good,” Sherman said. “I’d rather have him finish like that. He gets more out of it.”

Los Alamitos clocker Russ Hudak timed California Chrome in 25.40 for the opening quarter-mile and 48.40 for the first half-mile.

California Chrome will have workouts March 7 and 14 before a scheduled departure to Dubai on March 17. He is considered the leading American candidate for the 1 1/4-mile race.

Following Dubai, California Chrome’s campaign will be geared toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Sherman said he must assess California Chrome’s recovery after the trip to determine race plans.

“It will be interesting,” he said. “I don’t know how he’ll recover after that. We’ve got the second half of the year in front of us. I’d like to get him back to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Owned by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, California Chrome has started once this year, finishing second to Shared Belief in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 7 at Santa Anita. The race has made Shared Belief the leading contender for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7.