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California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) drew the outside post in an oversubscribed field of 10 runners and two also-eligible entrants for Saturday’s Winter Challenge S. at Los Alamitos S. The 1 1/16-mile race was created as a prep for the champion’s career finale in the Jan. 28 $12-million GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. California Chrome, coming off a runner-up effort behind Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, has been based at Los Alamitos since 2014.
“This is going to be our big tuneup for the Pegasus,” trainer Art Sherman confirmed. “I just hope we have a safe trip and everyone has an enjoyable time. I’m looking forward to running him here in Orange County. I know he has a lot of fans. I think it will be a great day.”
California Chrome will be looking to rebound from his Classic defeat, his lone loss of a 2016 season which has included wins in the G1 Dubai World Cup, GI TVG Pacific Classic and GI Awesome Again S. The 5-year-old worked five furlongs Saturday in 1:00.60 (10/28).
“He looks very good,” Sherman said. “He’s been training forwardly and I look for him to run a decent race.”
If all goes well after Saturday’s race, California Chrome is expected to ship to Gulfstream Jan. 6. He retires to stud at Taylor Made after the Pegasus.
Sherman admitted the retirement of his star charge will be emotional.
“When I look at that stall and see he’s not in there, it will be a void for me,” Sherman said. “But he’s got some great mares lined up, so I’m hoping he’ll be a really decent stud. It’s been one helluva ride for me. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse. Every trainer hopes he can have a horse like him and I was lucky enough to have him. It’s been great for me, my family and friends.”
The field for the Challenge, from the rail out, is: Howdy (Sundarban), Wrightwood (Elusive Quality), Presidentsky (Vronsky), Point Piper (Giant’s Causeway), Ain’t Misbehavin (Elusive Warning), Lucky J Lane (Lucky J.H.), Avanti Bello (Include), Unusual Meeting (Unusual Heat), Papacoolpapacool (Temple City), California Chrome. Also Eligible: Air Pocket (Smart Strike) and Ground Rules (Smart Strike).
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“This is going to be our big tuneup for the Pegasus,” trainer Art Sherman confirmed. “I just hope we have a safe trip and everyone has an enjoyable time. I’m looking forward to running him here in Orange County. I know he has a lot of fans. I think it will be a great day.”
California Chrome will be looking to rebound from his Classic defeat, his lone loss of a 2016 season which has included wins in the G1 Dubai World Cup, GI TVG Pacific Classic and GI Awesome Again S. The 5-year-old worked five furlongs Saturday in 1:00.60 (10/28).
“He looks very good,” Sherman said. “He’s been training forwardly and I look for him to run a decent race.”
If all goes well after Saturday’s race, California Chrome is expected to ship to Gulfstream Jan. 6. He retires to stud at Taylor Made after the Pegasus.
Sherman admitted the retirement of his star charge will be emotional.
“When I look at that stall and see he’s not in there, it will be a void for me,” Sherman said. “But he’s got some great mares lined up, so I’m hoping he’ll be a really decent stud. It’s been one helluva ride for me. He’s a once-in-a-lifetime horse. Every trainer hopes he can have a horse like him and I was lucky enough to have him. It’s been great for me, my family and friends.”
The field for the Challenge, from the rail out, is: Howdy (Sundarban), Wrightwood (Elusive Quality), Presidentsky (Vronsky), Point Piper (Giant’s Causeway), Ain’t Misbehavin (Elusive Warning), Lucky J Lane (Lucky J.H.), Avanti Bello (Include), Unusual Meeting (Unusual Heat), Papacoolpapacool (Temple City), California Chrome. Also Eligible: Air Pocket (Smart Strike) and Ground Rules (Smart Strike).
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