Bayern, ‘Chrome’ Work Towards Seasonal Debuts

Leading 3-year-olds Bayern (Offlee Wild) and California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) worked Saturday as they prepare for their respective 2015 debuts, which could come in Santa Anita’s Feb. 7 $500,000 GII San Antonio S.–an event that could also feature Friday’s GI Malibu S. hero Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}). 

Kaleem Shah’s “TDN Rising Star” Bayern, last seen surviving an inquiry in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic in Arcadia Nov. 1, covered four panels over that strip yesterday in :47.80 (13/61). 

“He went nice,” trainer Bob Baffert said of Bayern. “I took the blinkers off so he could work slower, so that was good, but I’ll put them back on when he runs.” 

The Hall of Famer added, “I haven’t really decided on his next race. I’m just getting him ready. The [Mar. 28 G1 Dubai World Cup] is being considered. That’s why I didn’t run him in the Malibu… But the Meydan track in Dubai now is totally different. 

“I’ve got see how it plays once they start running there. With the new dirt, you don’t know what’s going to happen. I won’t make the decision until I have to.” 

Steven Coburn and Perry Martin’s California Chrome, meanwhile, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 (5/15) at his Los Alamitos base. 

“He worked great,” said trainer Art Sherman’s son and assistant, Alan Sherman. “The San Antonio should be a great race if everything comes together.” 

The GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. winner was a close third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and displayed his versatility with a two-length score in Del Mar’s GI Hollywood Derby Nov. 29.