Derby: California Chrome walks the day before shipping to Kentucky

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome had a quiet morning Sunday at Los Alamitos, less than a day before he is scheduled to be flown to Churchill Downs for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

After working a half-mile in 48.20 seconds, California Chrome walked for 30 minutes at trainer Art Sherman’s barn. The colt is scheduled to leave the stable at 1:45 a.m. Monday to be shipped to Ontario airport, about 40 miles away, for the flight to Kentucky.

California Chrome has typically walked on the day after his works, which is customary for most horses. Sherman does not have an extensive exercise campaign scheduled for California Chrome upon arrival in Kentucky. California Chrome will have a jog Tuesday and gallops for the rest of the week.

“It will be important to stand him in the gate and galloping him two miles,” Sherman said. “I want everything to be smooth. That’s why I worked him here. He came out of the work really good.”

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

Sunday morning at Los Alamitos was a marked change from Saturday, when California Chrome drew a sizable crowd for his final workout. The commotion did not seem to affect California Chrome, who is certain to draw well-wishers to the Churchill Downs stable area.

“He’s so smart,” Sherman said. “He’s got such personality. There’s always one that gets your eye. He seems smarter than the rest.”

There was an audience Saturday evening at Los Alamitos for an autograph session with Sherman and jockey Victor Espinoza, which lasted two hours, Sherman said.

“People were just lined up and lined up,” Sherman said.

California Chrome races for breeders Steve Coburn and Perry Martin and has won 6 of 10 starts and $1,134,850. A California-bred by Lucky Pulpit, California Chrome has won his last four starts, a streak that includes the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5. The win made California Chrome the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.