California Chrome's first target: San Diego Handicap

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome’s vacation is ending this weekend, five weeks after his win in the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 26.

Trainer Art Sherman said on Thursday that California Chrome will arrive at his Los Alamitos stable from Kentucky on Sunday and that a two-race campaign is tentatively planned for the Del Mar summer meeting – the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 23 and the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 20.

The main goal for the second half of the year is the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome has spent most of April at Taylor Made Farms in Nicholasville, Ky., following his return to the United States from the United Arab Emirates. He was scheduled to be flown to California around May 9, but Sherman moved up California Chrome’s return in order to get him ready for the San Diego.

Sherman has been apprised of California Chrome’s condition through e-mail.

“I looked at him on the video, and he looks fit to me,” he said.

Owned by Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farms, California Chrome has won 12 of 21 starts and earned $12,532,650. He is the richest North American-based Thoroughbred in history.