California Chrome works at Los Alamitos for Santa Anita Derby

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome resumed workouts on Saturday at Los Alamitos, two weeks after winning his third consecutive stakes in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita and two weeks before a start in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby.

California Chrome worked a solo half-mile in 47.40 seconds under jockey Victor Espinoza, who did not urge California Chrome through the track’s stretch, which is just longer than a quarter-mile.

Saturday’s workout was not flashy, but that did not concern trainer Art Sherman. He said he is determined to ease California Chrome into the most important race of his career.

“I think you let him tell you what he wants and keep him happy,” Sherman said.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Owned and bred by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, California Chrome jumped to the fore of Kentucky Derby prospects with a victory by 7 1/4 lengths in the San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on March 8. Earlier in his career, California Chrome won three stakes for California-breds.

Sherman said he was surprised to see that California Chrome was quiet around the barn for several days following the San Felipe.

“After the first couple of days, he went into an easy mode and I thought it took something out of him,” Sherman said. “He came back to his old self, but it took 10 days.

“He’s been really strong in the last three days of galloping. As far as being around the barn, he’s been alert and playing.”

California Chrome is likely to be favored in the Santa Anita Derby over Candy Boy, who won the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 8. Trained by John Sadler for Lee and Susan Searing, Candy Boy worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 at Santa Anita on Saturday morning.

Sadler said that Candy Boy worked in company with a stablemate, starting two lengths behind and finishing in front.

“I’m where I want to be, I think,” Sadler said. “I’ve got one more work next Saturday. I was pleased with what he did today.”

Gary Stevens worked Candy Boy and will have the mount in the Santa Anita Derby, which is run over 1 1/8 miles.

The Santa Anita Derby has a probable field of eight or nine. Trainer Bob Baffert is considering running Hoppertunity, who won the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 15; Bayern, who is unbeaten in two starts but yet to start in a stakes; and The Admiral, who would also be making his stakes debut in the Santa Anita Derby.

Other candidates are Friendswith K Mill, second to The Admiral in an allowance race on March 16; Schoolofhardrocks, fourth in the San Felipe; the maiden race winner Big Tire; and the maiden Dublin Up.

Bettys Bambino takes to turf

Bettys Bambino remained unbeaten after two starts with a 4 1/4-length victory in an allowance race for California-breds on the hillside turf course on Friday. Trainer Peter Eurton said the 4-year-old Bettys Bambino will probably race around two turns in his next start.

“I think he’ll go farther than that,” Eurton said. “I think he’ll like a mile. He does things pretty relaxed.”

Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Bettys Bambino stalked pacesetter Back to Bako until the field crossed onto the main turf course and pulled away late.

Bettys Bambino won his debut in a maiden race over 6 1/2 furlongs on a wet-fast track by 9 1/2 lengths on Feb. 28.