California Chrome goes schooling ahead of PA Derby

Bensalem, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome had some schooling Friday morning at Parx Racing in preparation for Saturday’s $1 million, 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby.

The chestnut colt’s trainer Art Sherman made his way from Los Angeles and described the Friday session as he gets California Chrome ready for the first race since the Belmont Stakes on June 7.

“California Chrome looked great, galloped this morning was on the bit,” Sherman said. “He stood in the gate, reluctant to go in at first, but then after he went in he was fine. He looks great.”

California Chrome will be ridden again by Victor Espinoza from the rail post, The colt has speed but will be placed behind the two speed horses, Bayern and C J’s Awesome.

“I’ll watch to see how the rail is playing,” said Sherman. “But if he gets beat I hate to make excuses. If you have the best horse, you have the best horse. The other jocks know he’s down there and they’ll give him no quarter. We just hope he gets a clean trip.

“But I’ll leave it up to Victor. We’ll let him judge the pace and move earlier if we need to.”

California Chrome is headed for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 1 after the PA Derby where he is likely to meet for the first time 2013 Eclipse Award winner Shared Belief. It’s expected that meeting will decide this year’s 3-year-old male champion.

“It’s always been a great honor (to win the championship),” said Sherman. “Jerry (Hollendorfer, trainer of Shared Belief) and I have been good friends for 30 years and I’ve been chasing his butt for a long time. I’d like to kick it one time.”

Haskell winner Bayern, the 7-2 morning line second pick, galloped once around the track Friday.

“I think if there’s any time you can beat him, maybe coming off a layoff, this would be the time,” said Jim Barnes, assistant trainer for Bob Baffert, “He’s a great horse, taking nothing away from him. He’s a classic horse. He may well show up Saturday and prove that he is a champion.”

Candy Boy, 12-1 in the program, will start next to the favorite with Joel Rosario in the saddle. The colt, trained by John Sadler, galloped Friday morning.

“We gave him a good gallop this morning,” Sadler noted. “I think he knows when we’re going. He never seemed to have to take a specific type track, so hopefully it will be something he likes. He seems to be very adaptable.

“He’s a stalker. He wants to be just off of the speed. I don’t want him way back. He should get a stalking type trip. It would fit him very well. Baffert is clearly talking about wanting the lead with that horse, and California Chrome will be up there early. We’ll be just behind them.”

The PA Derby has a post time of 5:40 p.m. ET Saturday.

Categorized in: Horses