Del Mar Futurity next for California Chrome

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DEL MAR, Calif. - California Chrome will not have an easy race to finish the Del Mar meeting.

Winner of the Graduation Stakes for California-breds on July 31, California Chrome will start in Wednesday’s $300,000 Del Mar Futurity instead of Monday’s $150,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds over six furlongs.

Trainer Art Sherman said owners Perry Martin and Steve Coburn prefer the Del Mar Futurity to the I’m Smokin.

“We’d be 8-5 in there,” Sherman said of the I’m Smokin. He said the owners “want to see what kind of horse he is.”

[DEL MAR 2013: Complete meet coverage, schedule, race replays]

Martin and Coburn bred California Chrome, who has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $100,600. California Chrome worked six furlongs in 1:13.20 on Monday. Alberto Delgado will ride California Chrome in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity.

“He’s training outstanding,” Sherman said. “We’re going for the glory there.”

The Del Mar Futurity is expected to be led by Albert’s Hope, Celtic Moon, and Guns Loaded, the first three finishers of the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 4. Other probable starters are the maiden race winners Can the Man, Dance With Fate, Indexical, and Rum Point as well as Alpine Luck, a stakes winner at Hollywood Park who was fifth in the Best Pal.

Memorial service for Kirk Breed

A memorial service will be held in Sacramento on Sept. 22 for Kirk Breed, the executive director of the California Horse Racing Board who died Aug. 7.

The service is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, 6151 H St. A celebration of life follows at the Rodeo Arena at Cal Expo. Flowers can be sent to the temple, or donations can be made in Breed’s memory to the Sacramento Horsemen’s Association’s Horses, Hope and Healing fund, which helps children with riding lessons.