California Chrome is in Good Shape at Los Alamitos

Steve Coburn and Perry Martin’s two-time Classic winner and Eclipse Award hopeful California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) drilled four furlongs in :49.00 under regular pilot Victor Espinoza in preparation for a 4-year-old debut in the GII San Antonio S. at Santa Anita Feb. 7. The Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old contender looks to build off an easy victory in the GI Hollywood Derby when trying turf for the first time at Del Mar Nov. 29 after running third in Bayern (Offlee Wild)’s GI Breeders’ Cup Classic. 

“It was just what we were looking for,” said Alan Sherman, son and assistant to trainer Art Sherman. 

Added Los Alamitos head clocker Russ Hudak, “He went the first quarter in :24 3/5. He was just going easy, just stretching his legs.” 

California Chrome rattled off a six-race winning streak dating back to his juvenile season including wins in the GI Santa Anita Derby as well as the GII San Felipe S. and only ending with his gritty fourth in the GI Belmont S. June 7.