'Chrome' Confirmed for Santa Anita Derby…
Steven Coburn and Martin Perry's recent GII San Felipe S. romper California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) will make his next start in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5, conditioner Art Sherman confirmed yesterday. “It's a relief that we've made the decision,” Sherman said. “The horse will blow out a half-mile Saturday with Victor [Espinoza] on, and probably have one more half-mile before the race, then ship over five days before we run. The horse is acting really good right now.” The flashy chestnut burst onto the California scene with impressive wins against fellow state-breds, including two stakes prior to the Mar. 8 San Felipe, which he won by 7 1/4 lengths with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure.
Bayern Back on the Worktab…
Kaleem Shah's “TDN Rising Star” Bayern (Offlee Wild) returned to the worktab yesterday with a half-mile move in :47.40 under Gary Stevens. “He went nice,” conditioner Bob Baffert said. “He sat behind a horse, he relaxed nice.” Perfect in two starts, including a 15-length allowance win at Santa Anita last time Feb. 13, the bay was scratched from the GII San Felipe S. with a bruised hoof. Baffert stated that his next start is still undetermined.
Mexikoma off Derby Trail; Aims for Belmont…
Mexikoma (Birdstone) will not run in a GI Kentucky Derby prep race and has been taken out of consideration for the May 3 Classic due to a lung infection that cost the colt 10 days of training, owner Team Valor International announced Thursday. Instead, Mexikoma will instead be pointed for the GI Belmont S. June 7. “Mexikoma is sound,” Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin said. “Soundness is not the issue. The problem with making a Derby prep is that the infection he battled has left his constitution in a depleted state. Looking at him just now, I see that his coat has improved 100% in just 10 days and gleams with a healthy glow. But standing behind him, I see that the muscle tone he lost during his 15 days of stall confinement has not fully returned.” Irwin and trainer Rick Mettee will prepare Mexikoma for the GII Peter Pan S. on May 10 as prep for the Belmont. “The time between the Peter Pan and Belmont Stakes is one month, which is good spacing,” Irwin said. “What I like about the Peter Pan is it gives the colt that all-important race over the track.” Purchased privately off a 14 3/4-length maiden win at Delaware last September, Mexikoma ran on late to finish a close sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 2. He was third in a Feb. 22 optional claimer at Gulfstream on seasonal debut.
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