California Chrome completes training at Churchill Downs

Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) – Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome had his final gallop around Churchill Downs Monday morning before beginning his move to Pimlico Race Course for Saturday’s 139th Preakness Stakes.

Trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome, with exercise rider Willie Delgado in the saddle, galloped 1 1/4 miles. Later in the morning he was vanned to Lexington to board a plane bound for Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

The chestnut colt will be escorted to Pimlico by Baltimore City Police and is expected to arrive at the track at approximately 3 p.m. ET.

“Everything is perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Alan Sherman, assistant trainer to his father, of California Chrome’s stay in Louisville following the Run for the Roses. “He lost a little weight after the race but put it all back on quickly.”

Also at Churchill, Bayern had a workout Monday morning with jockey Rosie Napravnik riding. Trained by Bob Baffert, Bayern worked five furlongs in 1:02 3/5 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15 1/5.

“California Chrome is very impressive. But he (Bayern) definitely will be a challenge for him,” Napravnik said. The jockey was third in last year’s Preakness on Mylute.

Posting a workout Monday at Pimlico was Social Inclusion. Trained by Manny Azpurua, the 3-year-old worked four furlongs in 47 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13 3/5.

“He did it very easy. Manny told me to give him a good work with a good finish. He did it easy and so strong. He’s such a good horse. When you watch him, he looks like he’s running on air,” said jockey Luis Contreras who was aboard Monday and will have the mount in the Preakness.

Ria Antonia, winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, was confirmed Monday morning for Saturday’s Preakness. The filly was sixth in the Kentucky Oaks on May 2.

“The idea was Ron’s,” said trainer Tom Amoss referring to co-owner Ron Paolucci of Loooch Racing Stable. “She passed all the tests with us physically, mentally and how she trained.

“I got to see her before the Oaks and she prepared well and worked well before the race. I don’t know what happened in the Oaks, but I like the way she looks now.”

Galloping Monday at Churchill Downs were Ride On Curlin and General a Rod

Kid Cruz, trained by Linda Rice, galloped and was schooled at the starting gate Monday at Belmont Park. The colt will be vanned to Pimlico and should arrive Monday evening between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. ET.

The remaining contenders include Dynamic Impact, Pablo Del Monte and Ring Weekend.

Categorized in: Horses