California Chrome works half-mile toward summer return

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome worked a half-mile in an easy 48.80 seconds at Los Alamitos early Saturday, a workout trainer Art Sherman caught in a quicker 47.80 seconds.

“I might have the selling watch,” Sherman joked.

No one is buying California Chrome, the winner of the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 26 for owners Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm.

Saturday’s workout was California Chrome’s third work of the month as he nears a scheduled summer debut in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 23, a prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic there on Aug. 20. The Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5 is the major goal for later this year. There are plans for a start in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in January and tentative discussions about a full 6-year-old campaign in 2017, Sherman said.

On Saturday, California Chrome worked alone at 5:30 a.m. under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney. The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome had a brief, private training session before dawn.

California Chrome was eager for a major exercise. Before the workout, Gladney had California Chrome in a gallop on the backstretch and had to restrain the 5-year-old at one point from accelerating too quickly. California Chrome began the workout at a good speed, staying close to the inside. Gladney did not urge his mount through the stretch.

“He looks good,” Sherman said. “He was a lot of horse.”

California Chrome galloped out strongly. Gladney needed about three furlongs to pull up his mount.

“He didn’t want to stop,” said Alan Sherman, Art’s son and assistant.

California Chrome has won 12 of 21 starts and earned $12,532,650. He is the richest North American-based horse in history.

Sherman said he is anxious to start California Chrome at Del Mar and for the races in the second half of this year.

“I’m happy with the way things are going,” he said. “It will be here before too long.”

At Santa Anita on Saturday, Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds. Santa Anita clockers timed Stellar Wind in 35.20 seconds through the final three-eighths.

Trained by John Sadler for Pete and Kosta Hronis, Stellar Wind is scheduled to have her 2016 debut in the $400,000 Vanity Mile at Santa Anita next Saturday.