It’s already been a busy year for rock star/horse California Chrome. Between training and traveling to run two races in Dubai and dominating them both–including the $10 Million Grade 1 Dubai World Cup–he’s been ‘taking care of business’. And that’s why his connections gave him a month of ‘rest and relaxation’ at Taylor Made Farms in Kentucky upon his return to the United States. But his vacation is just about over and it’s time to get back to work. He’s expected to ship West and join trainer Art Sherman’s stable in early May.
The exact date is still undetermined but from the sound of it it’ll be right after the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Sherman says that’s the tentative plan: “I guess he’ll be coming back when the horses that run in the Kentucky Derby come back to California.” Once Chrome rejoins the stable he’ll go back into training but for which race? At the moment, that’s up in the air though Sherman notes that they’re definitely in demand. They’d like to run in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar but they want the track to make it more worth their while to the tune of a $2 million purse: “The Pacific Classic is on our agenda but we hope they raise the purse to $2 million. That would get us there.” Del Mar CEO Joe Harper loves the idea of having Chrome and defending champion Beholder in the same race: “No doubt about it to have both of them in the Pacific Classic would be an amazing race. It would be a track operator’s dream. I think if they’re willing to do it, there’s a deal to be made.”
Meanwhile, back in Kentucky, Chrome was given a thorough medical exam by Dr. Larry Bramlage and received a clean bill of health. Sherman says that he’s received videos of Chrome and that he’s pleased with what he’s seen: “They’ve sent me videos, and he looks good. He’s put back on the weight he lost. He looks to be enjoying the rest.” The eventual destination for California Chrome will be the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita after which he’ll be retired to the breeding shed.