Los Alamitos Race Course

California Chrome works five furlongs for Winter Challenge

Steve Andersen|Dec 03, 2016

California Chrome at Santa Anita on Nov. 3

Barbara D. Livingston California Chrome will have one prep before the Pegasus Cup thanks to a newly created stakes at Los Alamitos.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Two weeks before his final scheduled start in his home state, California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 before dawn at Los Alamitos on Saturday.

Ridden by exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, California Chrome worked alone, going the first quarter-mile in 25 seconds and a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. He quickened noticeably in the stretch and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.80, according to Los Alamitos clockers.

The workout had a slower early pace than a half-mile workout in 47.60 seconds on Nov. 26, when California Chrome was away quickly. On Saturday, the 5-year-old was more patient for Gladney and responded with a strong finish.

California Chrome, second to Arrogate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5, is expected to start in the $100,000-estimated Los Alamitos Winter Challenge at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 17. The Winter Challenge was created in recent weeks to give California Chrome a final start in Southern California before the last scheduled race of his career in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28.

California Chrome is set to go to stud in Kentucky in 2017. He will be sent to Florida to prepare for the Pegasus World Cup in early January, according to Alan Sherman, assistant to his father, trainer Art Sherman.

Art Sherman was at Del Mar on Saturday morning, leaving Alan Sherman in charge of the Los Alamitos stable. Alan Sherman said California Chrome was in need of a workout on Saturday.

“He was really touting us that he was ready to work,” Alan Sherman said. “He’s been on the muscle. The closer he gets to work day, the more aggressive he gets.

“I’m really happy with his training right now.”

Owned by Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm, California Chrome has won 15 of 25 starts and earned $14,452,650, a record for a North American-based Thoroughbred. A California-bred, California Chrome has won 5 of 6 starts this year, including the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in March.

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