When last seen under raceday conditions, 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) carried the silks of majority owner Perry Martin and minority owner Steven Coburn to a gallant runner-up effort in the G1 Dubai World Cup at the end of March 2015.
Much has transpired since. A European sojourn, to include potential starts at Newbury in the G1 Lockinge S. and at Royal Ascot, was ultimately abandoned after the blaze-faced chestnut was scratched from the latter venue's G1 Prince of Wales's S. on the eve of the race. An appearance in Chicago for the GI Arlington Million came into the discussion, but that, too, was given up nearly as soon as it was suggested. A spell ensued at Taylor Made Farm, ultimately a change in ownership, a much-anticipated return to the Art Sherman barn at Los Alamitos and, Saturday, a triumphant return to the races in the GII San Pasqual S. at Santa Anita.
“It set up just as we figured,” Art Sherman confirmed. “I knew he'd show speed. He's been wanting to run quite a bit right now by watching his workouts, and I said, 'He's got a lot of gas [speed] himself and you can place him where you want. That's why he's a perfect horse. You don't have to bring a game plan with him. He can sit off the pace or go on the pace.”
And what's next?
“Right now I think, Wow! Maybe the [G1] Dubai World Cup [$10-million March 26],” Sherman enthused.
After closing his sophomore season with a victory in the GI Hollywood Derby, California Chrome squared off with the ill-fated Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GII San Antonio S. last February, but could not match strides late and finished second best. From there it was on to the desert and the colt acquitted himself well with a wide-trip second behind Prince Bishop (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Chaos largely ensued and it was up to Team Sherman to restore some order Saturday.
Kicked away from the stalls by Victor Espinoza, California Chrome was content to stalk an easy pace from second as Alfa Bird (Birdstone) took up the running. The long odds-on selection had the pacesetter whenever he wanted and he made the lead under cruise control with about three furlongs to race. With chief market rival Hoppertunity hard at it back on the fence, Imperative emerged as the only potential threat. It looked for a few strides as if that one could make a race of it, but California Chrome held well in an effort from which he will surely improve by several lengths. The victory pushed California Chrome past Tiznow as the leading Cal-bred money spinner of all time.
“I wanted to make sure to let him run a little bit down the lane, so he doesn't create any [new] bad habits,” commented winning rider Victor Espinoza. “The way Chrome ran today is how he ran before. He's one of the best horses I've ever been on. I am so proud of him, the way he ran today. I don't think he got too tired. For such a long time off I think it was a good race, I expected him to be more tired than he was. Today is what I wanted. I didn't want to override him, I didn't want to push him. I wanted a balance.”
Martin, who still retains an interest in California Chrome, was equally enamored with the performance.
“I think he ran perfect,” he offered, adding that the task ahead is a clear one, at least from where he stands.
“We're going to Dubai, I'm adamant,” he said. “After the race today, I think we need two. I'd like to see him run at a mile and an eighth and then a mile and a quarter prior to running in the World Cup and I'll think that'll have him 100%.”
Sherman confirmed that California Chrome will depart for Dubai Jan. 21. One potential target could be Round 3 of the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge over the World Cup course and 10-furlong distance on Super Saturday Mar. 5.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Saturday, Santa Anita
SAN PASQUAL S.-GII, $200,500, SA, 1-9, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:43.39, ft.
1–CALIFORNIA CHROME, 119, h, 5, by Lucky Pulpit
1st Dam: Love the Chase, by Not For Love
2nd Dam: Chase It Down, by Polish Numbers
3rd Dam: Chase the Dream, by Sir Ivor
O-California Chrome, LLC; B-Perry Martin & Steve Coburn (CA);
T-Art Sherman; J-Victor Espinoza. $120,000. Lifetime Record:
Horse of the Year, Ch. 3yo Colt, MGISW-US, G1SP-UAE,
19-10-3-1, $6,442,650. Werk Nick Rating: B+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Imperative, 119, g, 6, Bernardini–Call Her, by Caller I. D.
($325,000 Ylg '11 KEESEP). O-KM Racing Enterprise, Inc.;
B-Glencrest Farm LLC & Darley (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $40,000.[bullet ad=”fourstar-salesgrad”]
3–Hoppertunity, 121, h, 5, Any Given Saturday–Refugee, by
Unaccounted For. ($300,000 Ylg '12 KEESEP). O-Karl Watson,
Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman; B-Betz/D.J.
Stable/Kidder/J. Betz/Robenalt (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,000.[bullet ad=”hillndale-lanni-purchased”]
Margins: 1 1/4, 1, 3HF. Odds: 0.60, 7.60, 2.40.
Also Ran: Hard Aces, Blingo, Point Piper, Alfa Bird. Scratched: Mystery Train (Arg). Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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