DEL MAR, Calif. – California Chrome has recovered rapidly from his impressive win in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20 and is likely to start in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, trainer Art Sherman said on Friday.
The Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles is a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.
“It would be perfect timing if all goes well,” Sherman said.
California Chrome jogged at Los Alamitos on Wednesday and galloped on Thursday and Friday. Sherman keeps California Chrome at Los Alamitos on a year-round basis.
After the Pacific Classic, Sherman said he would assess California Chrome’s condition before deciding on a start in the Awesome Again Stakes.
“I would say the Awesome Again makes sense the way he came out of the race,” Sherman said. “Everything looks like a go.”
California Chrome won the Pacific Classic by five lengths over Beholder under a hand ride from jockey Victor Espinoza. Owned by Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm, California Chrome is unbeaten in five starts this year, including the $10 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in March.
California Chrome, 5, has won 14 of 23 starts and earned $13,252,650. He is the richest North American-based Thoroughbred in history.
