By Bloodhorse.com
CYPRESS, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2016) — California Chrome will begin another journey to the other side of the world Jan. 21, when he’ll depart from his double-wide stall at Los Alamitos Race Course at 5 a.m. PT with Dubai in his sights.
The California-bred and 2014 Horse of the Year got in a final two-mile gallop the morning of Jan. 20, and assistant trainer Alan Sherman, exercise rider Dihigi Gladney, and groom Raul Rodriguez departed for the United Arab Emirates later Wednesday afternoon.
“He went really good this morning,” said Art Sherman, who will remain in California to continue training his local stock for the time being. “It’s going to be a long trip—almost 24 hours—so he’s getting a lot of electrolytes, and he’ll be traveling with a vet, Chuck Jenkins.”
While in Dubai, the 5-year-old son of Lucky Pulpit owned by Perry Martin and Taylor Made will have one local prep race before trying the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) for the second straight year. In last year’s World Cup, he came in second behind Prince Bishop. This year’s event is slated for March 27 at Meydan.
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In his 5-year-old debut—and first race since last year’s World Cup—California Chrome took the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) with relative ease Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park.
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Beyond the World Cup, California Chrome’s connections have indicated the Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar and the Breeders’ Cup Classic back at Santa Anita as future targets.