Alan Sherman, assistant trainer to his father Art and the man overseeing the daily routine of California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in Dubai, told the Dubai Racing Channel the 5-year-old would likely prep for the Mar. 26 G1 Dubai World Cup in a Meydan handicap Feb. 25.
Sherman said he preferred that option to the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 on Super Saturday Mar. 5 because of the extra week afforded between starts.
“If we run in the Maktoum Challenge it might be a bit quick,” Sherman said. “That extra week will give us a full month so I think we'd be better off doing that. Usually the third race off a layoff a horse it at its peak so hopefully once the World Cup comes he'll be peaking at that time.”
California Chrome, the 2014 GI Kentucky Derby winner and American Horse of the Year, finished second in last year's World Cup and was forced to the sidelines for the rest of the year by cannon bone bruising. The now 5-year-old enjoyed a summer holiday at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky and signaled his readiness for a return to the highest level after winning the GII San Pasqual S. Feb. 10.
“[Missing most of last year] could have been a blessing in disguise,” Sherman told the DRC. “He got pretty much the whole year off last year and he really grew up to be a bigger, stronger horse this year. When he came in from Taylor Made he looked like a completely different animal. He filled out and grew; they did a phenomenal job with him.”
“His attitude stayed the same,” Sherman added. “I was a little worried about it, being in the country club at Taylor Made for three months that he might get a little lazy on us, but he came back better than ever.”
When asked to size up the competition for the world's richest race, Sherman said, “I'm not worried about anybody. If Chrome runs his race I think he's as good as anyone.”
“It's a very prestigious race to win; one of the most prestigious in the world,” Sherman added. “It would be great to win it. We came close last year but I think this year we have a bigger, stronger horse running at them.”
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