Turning in the final work of what will certainly be a Hall of Fame career, California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) breezed five furlongs in :58.81 over the Gulfstream Park main track Saturday morning, his final move ahead of next Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup (video).
The lanky chestnut strode onto track just after 7:30 on what was reported to be a warm morning in South Florida, backed up a quarter-mile going the wrong way, then turned around and galloped past the stands and into the clubhouse turn. With his regular work rider Dihigi Gladney up, the 6-year-old was timed in fractions of :23.66 for the opening two furlongs and :35.12 for the half-mile. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.41, and trainer Art Sherman, who arrived from California late Thursday evening, was duly pleased with what he observed.
“I said if he went in a 1:00, I would be happy, and galloped out in 1:13,” Sherman said to the media outside Barn 2 following the work. “He went in 58 4/5 and galloped out in 1:12 1/5. He's ready. That was an awesome work. I thought it was sensational.
“He's cruise control; that's what I like,” he added. “We hardly ever press him to do anything. He was under hand, and I'm very satisfied with the work.”
Sherman, now 79, has mixed feelings as one of the best horses of all time prepares to make his final trip to the races.
“It's been a great journey. It's been fun, a lot of fun. I met a lot of nice people throughout the game and I'm enjoying myself,” he reflected. “He has such a following. I have 20 women coming out from Orange County [for the Pegasus]. They are all 'Chromies,' I call them. They have never missed a workout and I work him like at 5:45 in the morning. It's probably been the biggest fan base I have ever seen. I saw a lot of good horses, with this one and that, John Henry and Cigar, but I have never seen so many people love this horse like they do. He's the people's horse, I always thought.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
