California Chrome gallops over track for PA Derby

Bensalem, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome galloped over the Parx Racing track Thursday morning as he prepares to face seven other 3-year-olds in the $1 million, 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby on Saturday

Trained by Art Sherman with son Alan, California Chrome galloped about 1 1/2 miles with exercise rider Willie Delgado. The colt schooled in the paddock and will be brought to the starting gate Friday morning.

California Chrome will be ridden again by Victor Espinoza from the rail post, a position that is not favored by his connections. Alan Sherman looks to have his 3-year-old race away from the inside, allowing other horses to set the pace.

“It looks like there will be a couple of speed horses. If he can be third, somehow get off the rail and not get trapped on the rail,” Alan Sherman noted about race strategy.

Haskell winner Bayern, the 7-2 second pick, is the definite speed in the race. The other likely speed horse is C J’s Awesome who is 12-1 in the program and will break from the outside post in the eight-horse field with Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado on the colt for the second straight start.

Categorized in: Horses