San Pasqual tentative target for California Chrome

ARCADIA, Calif. – California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year, could return to racing in early January at Santa Anita, possibly in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Handicap at 1 1/16 miles, trainer Art Sherman said. Santa Anita has not released its 2015-16 winter-spring stakes schedule, but the San Pasqual typically is run on the second Saturday in January.

Sherman said on Thursday that California Chrome is tentatively scheduled to return to his stable at Los Alamitos on Oct. 13 and will immediately go into training.

“It will take about 90 days to get him ready,” Sherman said.

Sherman said the $10 million Dubai World Cup in March is a goal for California Chrome.

California Chrome has not raced since finishing second in the Dubai World Cup this past March. California Chrome was withdrawn from the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in June at Royal Ascot two days before the race because of an abscess in a foot. California Chrome missed another start in the Arlington Million in August because of a bruised cannon bone diagnosed a month before that race.

In July, California Chrome was sent to Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky for recovery. During the summer, Taylor Made joined the ownership group of California Chrome, buying out a share owned by breeder Steve Coburn. Perry Martin, who also bred California Chrome, retains an interest.