Derby: California Chrome looks strong in final West Coast work

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome was an eager colt at the start of a half-mile workout Saturday at Los Alamitos.

The favorite for the Kentucky Derby next Saturday, California Chrome worked a half-mile in 48.20 seconds under regular rider Victor Espinoza. The work could have been much quicker.

When California Chrome broke away from a pony on the backstretch, he was quick into the bridle, forcing Espinoza to take action.

“He does that,” Espinoza said of California Chrome’s aggressive start. “I didn’t want to go too fast. I grabbed him a little bit.”

Espinoza did not urge California Chrome through the stretch. Working alone, California Chrome galloped out five furlongs in 1:01. California Chrome was not fitted with blinkers for the workout but wears them in races.

“He’s really strong right now,” Espinoza said. “I liked the way he worked. I could have gone in 46 and 59. He does things so easily.”

Before a crowd of more than 500 onlookers, California Chrome had the track to himself shortly after 8 a.m. Accompanied by a pony, California Chrome jogged around the first turn and broke off 4 1/2 furlongs from the finish.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

The workout left trainer Art Sherman certain California Chrome is ready for the Kentucky Derby, which will be the colt’s first start outside of California.

“It was like he was breezing,” Sherman said. “I was satisfied with the work. He looked really relaxed.”

California Chrome is scheduled to be flown Monday to Churchill Downs. Owned by breeders Steve Coburn and Perry Martin, California Chrome has won 6 of 10 starts and $1,134,850. California Chrome is unbeaten in three starts this year, all at Santa Anita – the California Cup Derby on Jan. 25, the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 8, and the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5. He won those races by a combined 18 lengths.

Since his last start, California Chrome had had two half-mile workouts. He was timed in 47.80 seconds on April 19. At Churchill Downs, Sherman said he will focus on giving California Chrome schooling sessions in the starting gate and paddock and gallops on the main track.

In a small way on Saturday, California Chrome had a taste of the morning commotion that accompanies a Kentucky Derby favorite in the days before the race. There were racing fans and well-wishers gathered at Sherman’s barn before and after the workout and people lining the quarter-mile Los Alamitos stretch to see the colt. The audience will be greater in the mornings at Churchill Downs.

“I enjoy all the people that are pulling for the horse,” Sherman said. “He’s a cool horse. He’s the horse you dream about.”

** An hour later and 34 miles away at Santa Anita, Dance With Fate, the winner of the April 12 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, worked a half-mile on the main track in 47 seconds.

Trainer Peter Eurton hoped to work Dance With Fate on turf Saturday, but turf works were canceled after approximately two-tenths of an inch of rain overnight.

Dance With Fate had the second-fastest of 62 recorded works at the distance. The workout was his first since the Blue Grass. Dance With Fate is scheduled to be shipped Monday to Kentucky.

“I couldn’t just gallop him for three weeks,” Eurton said. “He’d be a little too fresh. I didn’t want to do a lot.”