The opposition may not have been up to much but California Chrome showed he is ready for next month’s $12 million (Dh 44.07 million) Pegasus World Cup by breaking the track record in the Winter Challenge at Los Alamitos overnight on Saturday.
It was the first and last time that the Dubai World Cup winner had raced at his home racecourse, and after he had pummelled his opposition in to submission Victor Espinosa and the giant chestnut were greeted by a chorus of cheers.
In truth, California Chrome never clicked out of third gear and he strode 12 lengths clear with ease after the 1700 metres before stopping the clock at 1m40.02s.
Record time at a small course like Los Alamitos needs to be taken with a pinch of salt – previous record holder Uncle Lino is hardly a world beater, but trainer Art Sherman saw enough in the run to believe his charge can overhaul Breeders’ Cup conqueror Arrogate at Gulfstream Park on January 28.
“I want Arrogate bad,” said Sherman, the 79-year-old trainer. “One more time. I got something in my heart that says I can beat him.
“It did my heart really good to be able to run him in front of Orange County people.
“They are so loyal fans and the Chromies are just great. It was a great day for racing. You can see when you have a star what happens.”
Owner Perry Martin was in characteristically bullish mood afterwards. The win took California Chrome’s tally to seven wins from eight, including his triumph at Meydan in March. Martin believes this is enough for California Chrome to add to his 2014 Horse Of The Year award at the expense of Arrogate, who also won the Travers Stakes this year.
“He’s a good horse,” Martin said of Arrogate. “His body of work is two big races. I don’t know how many we won. I think we have unfinished business. We’ll take care of it.”
California Chrome had been drawn widest of all in stall 10 and Espinoza was wise enough to not change his racing line overly and relied on his mount’s obvious superiority.
After 800 metres California Chrome was in midfield but was racing five horses wide and therefore ceding valuable metres. It did not matter. Moments later the Mexican jockey guided his mount in to the lead and from there it was simply a calculation of how far.
California Chrome and Arrogate drew just over ten lengths clear of Keen Ice in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.
The rematch is eagerly awaited, but if Arrogate does not turn up there is every chance that, in this form, California Chrome’s final race before retirement could be simply a mega-money procession.
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