www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/hor...rting-gate/15884981/
Spoiled’ California Chrome balks at gate
Jennie Rees, jrees@courier-journal.com 11:32 a.m. EDT September 19, 2014
Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, preparing to make his first start since his Triple Crown bid ended with a dead-heat fourth in the Belmont Stakes, schooled in the starting gate at Parx Racing Friday morning on the eve of Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby.
The chestnut colt, the first Derby winner to contest the Pennsylvania Derby and first to run in the state aftre wining the Derby in at least the pari-mutuel era, balked at loading and had to be urged in by the gate crew. This happens with a lot of horses. But because of who California Chrome is, and because he hasn’t always stood the best in the starting gate, this was a source of great interest to the media in attendance.
However, backed out of the gate, California Chrome was led in two more times, going in and standing like the consummate pro.
Trainer Art Sherman said later that California Chrome was just checking out his new environment and also reacting to the repeated snapping of cameras.
“He does what he wants to do,” Sherman said. “I guess you call him a little spoiled. But he has a reason to be a little spoiled. He has a lot of people pampering him. Once in a while he likes to show, ‘Hey, I’m here. I’m the man. So let’s just have some fun.’ It’s nothing you really have to worry about. He doesn’t kick, doesn’t rear. He doesn’t nothing crazy. He’s just being Chrome.”
Of course the picture they want is victory in the Grade II, 1 1/8-mile race.
“California Chrome looked great galloping this morning,” Sherman said. “He was on the bit. He stood in the gate and was reluctant to go in at first. But after he did, he was fine. He’s such a professional, just a pleasure to train. He looks great. I couldn’t be more pleased going into this race. It’s been a while since he’s run, and I’m looking for a good performance.”
California Chrome, who breaks on the rail, will face a field of eight 3-year-olds, including Grade I Haskell winner and likely pacesetter Bayern, West Virginia Derby winner Tapiture and Candy Boy, who lost the West Virginia Derby by a nose.
“I’m not looking for a pressure-type of thing. I just want him to come back sound,” Sherman said, adding of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita. “I know what’s coming up. He’s going to have to be at his best to beat those kinds of horses. He’s got to start back somewhere, and this is a good spot.”
While Saturday’s rivals have been racing, the Derby winner was out of training for five weeks after the Belmont and hasn’t run in 3-1/2 months. Asked how much California Chrome was conceding, Sherman said, “I think they’ve got a pretty good edge on him. Ability-wise, I’m not sure. My horse has done everything we’ve asked, won at a half-dozen tracks. And he’s a runner.”
Contact Jennie Rees at 502-582-4042. Follow her on Twitter @CJ_Jennie and Facebook.com/CJJennie.
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