California Chrome works toward Pennsylvania Derby

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome will need an ideal preparation in early September to be ready for his scheduled comeback in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 20.

That was the opinion of trainer Art Sherman after California Chrome worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Los Alamitos early Friday. The workout was California Chrome’s fourth since he returned to training in mid-July.

California Chrome worked alone under jockey Victor Espinoza and was not urged and quickened noticeably in early stretch. Sherman timed California Chrome galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.

“I thought the gallop-out would be a little stronger,” Sherman said. “The next couple of works will put us where we need to be. We’ll plan on running, but nothing is set in stone.”

California Chrome is scheduled to have two additional workouts before the Pennsylvania Derby, including a six-furlong workout between races at Los Alamitos on Sept. 6.

The winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, California Chrome has not raced since finishing fourth in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. He was given a six-week break, at Sherman’s stable at Los Alamitos and at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., before resuming training in July. California Chrome had the first workout for his comeback on Aug. 8 and worked on four consecutive Fridays through the month.

Espinoza worked California Chrome for the first time this month on Aug. 22 over a half-mile. Friday, Espinoza sensed that California Chrome is making progress.

“He’s getting there,” Espinoza said. “He got a little tired today. It was the first five-eighths and I didn’t want him to go too fast.”

Owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, California Chrome won six consecutive stakes from December to mid-May. In his career, California Chrome has won 8 of 13 starts and earned $3,532,360. The Pennsylvania Derby was selected as a comeback over the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 27.

The main goal is the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1, where a match-up with Shared Belief, the undefeated champion 2-year-old male of 2013, is expected. Shared Belief won the $1 million Pacific Classic against older horses at Del Mar on Aug. 24.

“Shared Belief is a good horse,” Sherman said. “He’s got an edge on us because he’s been racing. I’ve got to get a good run before the Classic.”