Trainer Art Sherman sent out a stark warning to California Chrome’s Dubai World Cup rivals when he declared that the American superstar is five lengths better than when second a year ago.
Trainer Art Sherman
Sherman was thrilled with the job his son Alan and the rest of the team had done when he reacquainted himself with California Chrome in the barn after arriving in Dubai on Monday night and said: “I hate to get really high on him, but I’ll tell you one thing, he’s a five lengths better horse than he was last year.
“When I saw him for the first time in over a month I said ‘Hey Chrome’, and he turned around and started snickering because he knew I’d have some cookies. I gave him a couple of cookies and looked at him and thought ‘either you’ve grown or else I’ve shrunk’. He sure looks good, and the team have done a terrific job.
“You’ll see a different Chrome this time. He’s the real McCoy. I’ve been around a lot of decent horses, and I rode a lot of decent horses, but he’s something special.”
California Chrome, who won the first two legs of America’s Triple Crown in 2014 before finishing only fourth in the Belmont Stakes, was beaten two-and-three-quarter lengths by surprise winner Prince Bishop when a hot favourite for last year’s Dubai World Cup. But that has served only to sharpen Sherman’s appetite the won the world’s richest race for which he is as short as 11-8 favourite.
Sherman, who watched California Chrome do routine exercise on an untypically wet Meydan morning, said: “Winning the World Cup has been a dream of mine. If you win the World Cup you are the best horse in the world, as you’ve got the best horses running here. It would be a great honour to say I trained the champion.”
Unlike a year ago, when he arrived at Meydan after a defeat at Santa Anita, California Chrome made a successful return in a Grade 2 at the California track and then shipped in early enough to have a prep race in a handicap over the World Cup’s course and distance, which also went very smoothly.
California Chrome and Art Sherman
Sherman said: “I got the preparation I wanted into him. When he won at Santa Anita he needed the race quite badly but still won. Then after he won over the mile and a quarter here I talked to Victor [Espinoza] and he said he had plenty of horse left, and that made me feel good.
“I’m looking forward to this race. You can set this horse anywhere you want, and people don’t realise that. He’s a fast horse, and he’s tough. He wins on turf and he wins on dirt. Attitude has a lot to do with it. He loves to run. He’s competitive and he’s very versatile.”
California Chrome, who spent last summer in Newmarket but was forced to return home without racing, has a huge fan club around the racing world and the so-called ‘Chromies’ will be glued to their televisions on Saturday night.
Sherman said: “He’s got such a following. All the Chromies are having a big party at the track (at home) on Saturday when he runs. You wouldn’t believe the fanfare.
“I’ve had Grade 1 horses before but nothing like him. And his story is so good for the game – a horse from a $2,500 stud fee and a $1,500 mare going on the Triple Crown trail it keeps people in the business.
“It gives people something to look forward to. It shows you don’t need to be a millionaire to buy a good horse.”
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