Chrome Has First Gallop

Steven Coburn and Perry Martin’s Triple Crown aspirant California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) galloped for the first time at Belmont Park yesterday since arriving from Pimlico Tuesday. After jogging the day before, the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. hero galloped 1 3/4 miles over the sloppy main track (video) shortly after 6:00 a.m. with exercise rider Willie Delgado aboard. 

“I just wanted to get out before the track got chewed up and he skipped over that track,” said Alan Sherman, assistant to his father, Art Sherman. “I was amazed as to how good he looked out there. The track did not seem heavy, just wet and sloppy. No one really wants to train over a chewed up track so that is why went our earlier today than planned. We’ll probably do the same tomorrow.” 

Art Sherman was born nearby in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, but his son had never before been to Belmont Park. “The place is massive,” said Alan Sherman of his first impressions of North America’s largest dirt track. “Your horse looks like an ant down there. The place is huge but I’m real happy with the surface and as long as Chrome likes it, I like it.” He added, “It’s kind of intimidating, as big as it is when you first look at it, but we can handle it.” 

Alan Sherman said California Chrome will have one work before the June 7 GI Belmont S.–an easy half-mile May 31 with regular rider Victor Espinoza aboard. 

“He seems to have lots left in the tank right now and I’m not going to over train him by any means right now,” he said. “I’m just going to keep him fresh and happy. If he works in :48 or :49, that will be perfect. We don’t need a fast work; if he is not fit by now, he’ll never be fit.”