‘Chrome’ puts in gallop ahead of Saturday’s Dubai World Cup

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (SportsNetwork.com) – Horse of the Year California Chrome had a 1 1/2-mile gallop Monday morning in preparation for Saturday’s 20th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

“He seems to be handling the track well but we will know a little more after the work,” assistant trainer Alan Sherman said. “He has run well on every track he has ever been on so it’s not a big concern.”

Sherman, assistant to his father Art, will have the 4-year-old chestnut colt work a quarter mile Tuesday morning at Meydan racecourse. The colt’s regular exercise rider Willie Delgado is in Dubai and jockey Victor Espinoza will ride on Saturday.

“I’m just glad the owners decided to run him another year,” Sherman said. “The Dubai World Cup has always been on Perry’s (co-owner Martin) radar.”

Art Sherman and co-owner Steve Coburn are scheduled in Dubai Monday night with Perry Martin to arrive Wednesday.

“It’s a long flight for Dad, but he’ll be alright. He’s not flying coach (class),” Sherman said

Also galloping 1 1/2 miles Monday was Donn Handicap runner-up Lea, trained by Bill Mott. Mott saddled Cigar to win the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996.

“He (Lea) went through his normal routine but he also stood in the gate, and that went very well,” said assistant trainer Riley Mott. “He’s had three gallops here and is moving very well over the track but you can’t fully get a gauge on how much he likes it until you run over it.

“The boss (father Bill) gets into town tomorrow (Tuesday) morning and he’ll decide exactly what the horse will do. He’ll likely go a quarter mile.”

Jockey Joel Rosario, who has been aboard for Lea’s most recent starts, is slated to ride on Saturday.

Godolphin Racing’s African Story will defend his 2014 World Cup title. His trainer Saeed Bin Suroor has won the race six times.

Eight horse are expected to start the World Cup after the defection of Ron the Greek.

Categorized in: Horses