Faversham, brother to California Chrome, in ideal spot

ARCADIA, Calif. – Faversham, the highly regarded 3-year-old brother to the two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, may start favored in a one-mile maiden race for California-breds in Friday’s third race at Santa Anita.

The maiden race is the perfect fit for Faversham, who was eighth in the California Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles for statebreds on Feb. 19 in his second start.

“This is where he should be,” trainer Art Sherman said on Wednesday morning.

“He wasn’t quite up to that type of race. He needed more schooling and more foundation. He’ll run a lot different this time.”

Faversham, by Lucky Pulpit, was bred by Perry Martin and Steve Coburn, who bred and were the original owners of the immensely popular California Chrome, who was trained by Sherman. Martin and his wife, Denise, own Faversham, who was second at six furlongs in his debut on Jan. 18.

Friday, Faversham will be fitted with blinkers for the first time, and is likely to race as a stalker in a field that includes two 4-year-olds.

“He’s been going really well,” Sherman said. “I’m anxious to run him. He’ll be laying third or fourth at the worst.”

Faversham is part of a field of seven. Wild Lando, a 4-year-old trained by Phil D’Amato, has been second or third in his five career starts, all sprints.