By Bloodhorse.com
DUBAI, U.A.E. (Mar. 22, 2016) — After flying from California to Dubai, trainer Art Sherman had trouble sleeping, which allowed him to get to the barn and see California Chrome earlier than anticipated. Shortly after 2 a.m. local time March 22, Sherman showed up at the 5-year-old’s stall and fed him a couple of cookies. In addition to the colt’s strong appetite, Sherman liked what he saw in advance of the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) March 26,
“Either I’m getting smaller or he’s getting bigger,” Sherman said on a National Thoroughbred Racing Association conference call March 22. “There’s been such a big change in him. You wouldn’t recognize him now from how he looked as a 3-year-old. He’s turned into a great individual.”
Following a 2015 season that was plagued by questionable decisions by his ownership and a variety of ailments, California Chrome has a new ownership group and a new lease on life. He was given time off for rest and relaxation at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Ky., gaining some 160 pounds. Taylor Made, which will stand California Chrome when he retires to stud, is now part of his ownership group.
“He was a tired horse last year,” Sherman said of his charge who ran second in the 2015 Dubai World Cup behind Prince Bishop. “Now he’s the picture of health and is in perfect condition. The R&R and good Kentucky bluegrass did a world of good. He’s a lot of horse.”
California Chrome, winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I), has won 11 of his 20 starts and $6,532,650. A win in the World Cup would make him the all-time leading money-winner in North American history.
Thus far this season the Lucky Pulpit colt has won the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park and a handicap race at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai carrying 132 pounds.
“We thought he’d benefit this year from a race over the track,” Sherman noted. “He looked great galloping this morning. It was the right thing to come over early. The race here was a good tightener for him and I was impressed how he did it. I think he’ll show us something Saturday.
“He still has a lot to prove as far as being the Real McCoy,” Sherman said. “It would really prove something to defeat horses from around the world. Let’s do it and get it on.”