California Chrome works strong six furlongs

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome continued to make steady progress toward a comeback next month with a six-furlong workout in 1:12.20 at Los Alamitos early Saturday.

What California Chrome did in the half-minute following the workout left trainer Art Sherman encouraged by the 5-year-old’s development. California Chrome galloped out in an aggressive style for another quarter-mile.

“Look how he stretches out,” Sherman said, watching California Chrome after the workout.

The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome has not raced since winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 26. California Chrome is scheduled to start 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.

Sherman is confident that California Chrome will be in peak condition for the San Diego, which is run at 1 1/16 miles.

“I like the way he’s finishing,” Sherman said of California Chrome’s recent workouts. “He gallops out strong. He’s not breathing hard.”

In Saturday’s workout, California Chrome was ridden by exercise rider Dihigi Gladney. California Chrome was at a high speed when he began the workout and quickened noticeably through the long stretch at Los Alamitos.

“The last part is when he really kicks it in,” Sherman said. “That shows the stamina is getting stronger. He’s really going seven-eighths, but it doesn’t look like it.”

Owned by Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farms, California Chrome is the richest North American-based Thoroughbred, with earnings of $12,532,650. A winner of 12 of 21 starts, California Chrome has won 10 stakes, including the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.