California Chrome's foot looking better

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome is a week away from a summer vacation and continues to show improvement from a minor foot injury sustained when he finished in a dead heat for fourth in the Belmont Stakes last Saturday.

Trainer Art Sherman said on Wednesday that California Chrome’s right front heel has responded to treatment in recent days at the trainer’s stable at Los Alamitos. California Chrome is believed to have grabbed his right front foot leaving the gate in the Belmont.

Next week, California Chrome is scheduled to be sent to Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., for a break of 30 to 45 days.

“We’re hoping it doesn’t turn into a quarter crack,” Sherman said. “I’m trying to get everything perfect before he goes.”

California Chrome returned to Los Alamitos on Sunday evening, a day after missing out on a chance to sweep the Triple Crown.

Owned by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, California Chrome is expected to resume racing in late September, and have one prep race in advance of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

“I’d like to get a race in him before the Breeders’ Cup,” said Alan Sherman, Art’s son and assistant. “He’s doing a lot better. The foot looks really nice.

“I’d be nice to run him in the Travers, but he won’t be ready for that. He was getting a break after the Belmont regardless of whether he won. He’s been at the track since last March or February. It’s time to go be a horse. He won’t lose a lot of condition.”

While dirt racing will be the focus for the remainder of 2014, Art Sherman suggested that a grass race could be in California Chrome’s future at some point.

“Sometime down the line, I’d like to try him on the grass,” Sherman said. “With his kind of speed, and the way he goes, I think he’d love it.”