Chrome’ to Bypass Lockinge

Steve Coburn and Perry Martin’s Horse of the Year California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) will sidestep next month’s G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury as he continues to gear up for a trip to Royal Ascot in June. The 4-year-old is currently lodging with Rae Guest in Newmarket after finishing second to Prince Bishop (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup on his most recent start. Winner of the G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Preakness for trainer Art Sherman last year, California Chrome is reported to be recovering well from two lengthy journeys, but the Newbury race May 16 just comes up too soon.

“He won’t be running in the Lockinge,” said Guest. “It was a long journey to Dubai and then a long journey to here and with all the time and climate changes, it’s just taken him another week to get over it all. We will look to Ascot now and hopefully go there 100%. Which race he goes for at Ascot is up to his connections. His trainer is coming over next week and they will make a decision later on which race he runs in.” 

California Chrome is currently as low as 8-1 with bet365 for the 10-furlong G1 Prince Of Wales’s S. at the Royal meeting, while the same firm offer odds of 14-1 about his chance in the G1 Queen Anne S. over a mile.