From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 14, 2014) — Plans for California Chrome’s next race are still on hold but that hasn’t diminished interest in the California-bred colt one whit. When it comes to gaining mainstream recognition, he may not be in Silky Sullivan’s league yet, but he’s getting there.
The son of Lucky Pulpit, smashing winner of his last three starts, including the Grade II San Felipe Stakes last Saturday, is on the fast track to the May 3 Kentucky Derby after earning 50 qualifying points by winning the San Felipe.
“We just had Channel 8 from San Diego and ESPN here and I’ve done nine radio interviews,” trainer Art Sherman said Thursday morning by phone from his headquarters at Los Alamitos. “I don’t know why he’s so popular, but there’s a ton of interest in him.”
As to whether he would run in the Grade I, $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 5, Sherman said, “It’s too early to know right now. He came out of the San Felipe in good shape but he’ll let me know when he’s ready and where we’ll go next. Right now I’m just doing maintenance work with him, keeping him in light training.”