Sherack at the Derby: ‘California’ Dreaming

   A beautiful sunrise with shades of pink provided a spectacular backdrop as 5-2 GI Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) stepped onto the fast main track on a brisk morning just before 7 a.m. at Churchill Downs Thursday. Just as he’s done all week, the flashy chestnut remained as cool as ever with his ears pricked forward as he set up shop along the outer rail. 
   While the GI Santa Anita Derby hero went on his extended tour of the paddock for the second straight day, GIII Southwest S. hero Tapiture (Tapit) entered the track accompanied by trainer Steve Asmussen via stable pony at 7:17 a.m. 
   Upon his return, California Chrome got a tad aggressive and began tossing his head a bit entering the backstretch as he caught wind of a pair of workers to his inside. He quickly regained his composure beneath Willy Delgado and was all business during the remainder of his 1 1/2-miles gallop. With the iconic Twin Spires to his back, trainer Art Sherman met the Martin Perry and Steve Coburn homebred at the gap with an inviting smile on his face as a slew of media photographed and recorded his every move. 
   The indoor coffee stand was the place to be as temperatures struggled to reach 50 degrees under mostly cloudy skies by 8 a.m. 
   Owner Ken Ramsey, wearing a red Kitten’s Joy jacket, of course, worked his way through the crowd to get his position during the renovation break as the special Derby/Oaks training period was about to get underway. Ramsey will be represented by a pair of longshots in GII Louisiana Derby hero Vicar’s in Trouble (Into Mischief) and GIII Spiral S. winner We Miss Artie (Artie Schiller). 
   The lightly raced and very nicely put together Chitu (Henny Hughes) bounced onto the track with good energy as the floodgates opened. The GIII Sunland Derby winner will be the lone representative from the mighty Bob Baffert stable after the unfortunate news broke of GII Rebel S. winner Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday)’s defection during training hours. 
   With affable conditioner Billy Gowan on the shank, Daniel Dougherty’s GI Arkansas Derby runner-up Ride On Curlin (Curlin) posted up by his usual spot near the chute while GII Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Vinceremos (Pioneerof the Nile) led the Todd (Pletcher) squad onto the track. 
General a Rod (Roman Ruler)–third in the GI Florida Derby–was pretty hard to miss in his bright orange blinkers and Pablo Del Monte (Giant’s Causeway), now potentially in the Derby with the withdrawal of the aforementioned Hoppertunity, also made his presence felt while sporting his flashy yellow-and-black browband. Uncle Sigh (Indian Charlie)’s groom gave the GIII Gotham S. runner-up a big smooch on the lips before sending him on his way to the track a day after recording an unofficial four-furlong breeze. 
Even with Arkansas Derby upsetter Danza (Street Boss) clearly sticking out amongst the Pletcher quartet in the mornings, the rest of the bunch has looked rock solid during training hours as well, including GII Risen Star S. winner Intense Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday) and Vinceremos. 
   Wicked Strong (Hard Spun)–a well-documented bad gate horse–has very quietly handled his business like a pro throughout the week, beginning with his gallops in the a.m. and also during his paddock schooling sessions later in the day. The GI TwinSpires.com Wood Memorial victor many not be as flashy or physically imposing as some of his rivals, but the Centennial Farms’ colorbearer certainly seems to have his mind right as he approaches the biggest race of his career. As expected, Wicked Strong blew out an easy three furlongs in :36.60 yesterday. 
   It’s hard to imagine anybody getting a better workout than exercise rider Bryan Beccia this week. Every time Ride On Curlin has galloped by, Beccia has had hands completely full of horse. Like his chances more and more each day, especially with Calvin Borel at the controls. 
   Dance With Fate (Two Step Salsa) came roaring off the clubhouse turn like a complete powerhouse with plenty of Team Eurton in attendance. While the GI Blue Grass S. winner’s ability to handle the surface remains a legit concern, the stunning dark bay couldn’t look any better physically than he does right now. 
New York-bred Samraat (Noble Causeway), a respectable second in the Wood, couldn’t wait to get down to business once being let loose on the track. He is another who has been easy on the eyes. Blue Grass second Medal Count(Dynaformer) was one of the final Derby entrants to come out for training just as the sun emerged from behind the clouds and provided some slight relief. 
   With training hours now winding down, a proud passenger aboard a stable pony pointed out to a group of photographers just exactly who she was aboard. “Hey, Perfect Drift,” she beamed. Great to see that the 2002 Kentucky Derby third-place finisher is doing well in his second career. Click here for Thursday’s photo page.