Working for the second time since his towering defeat of defending champion Beholder (Henny Hughes) in the GI TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar Aug. 20, California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) went five furlongs in 1:00.80 Saturday morning at trainer Art Sherman's Los Alamitos base.
Accompanied as usual by exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, the blaze-faced chestnut was clocked in steady fractions of :24.20 for the opening quarter-mile and :48.80 for four furlongs, then galloped out six panels in 1:14.20 according to Los Alamitos clocker Russell Hudak.
“He was just galloping,” said Sherman, who has the 5-year-old penciled in for two more breezes prior to a GI Breeders' Cup Classic prep in the GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita Oct. 1.
The 2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome is perfect in his five trips postward this term, highlighted by his 3 3/4-length victory in the G1 Dubai World Cup this past March. Also the Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old of 2014, California Chrome has won 14 of his 23 starts and is already the biggest money winner in North American history with current earnings of $13,252,650.
Saturday was declared “California Chrome Day” at Los Alamitos and in the City of Cyprus. A special presentation was made by Cyprus Mayor Mariellen Yarc and Los Al President Brad McKinzie to members of the California Chrome team between the fourth and fifth races.
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