Pegasus World Cup: California Chrome Scheduled for Public Workout Saturday

By David Joseph —-

‘Breakfast at Gulfstream’ Marks Occasion with 7:00 a.m. Start
Argentine Star Eragon Also Set for Pegasus Work Saturday

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – California Chrome will command undivided attention at Gulfstream Park Saturday when thoroughbred racing’s most enduring star is slated to take to the racetrack at 7:30 a.m. for a public workout in preparation for the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) Jan. 28.

California Chrome is scheduled for a five-furlong workout under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney during a short window during training hours in which the flashy chestnut 6-year-old will be the only horse on the racetrack.

‘Breakfast at Gulfstream’ has been scheduled for an early start at 7:00 a.m. this Saturday only to mark the occasion and provide attendees with the opportunity to watch North America’s richest thoroughbred prepare for a highly anticipated start in the world’s richest race.

California Chrome arrived at Gulfstream Park from his Southern California base Friday, Jan. 6 and has been jogging and galloping over the Gulfstream Park track since Sunday, Jan. 8. Alan Sherman, trainer Art Sherman’s son and top assistant, will supervise the first of two scheduled workouts in preparation for the Pegasus.

“He’ll go five-eighths and he’ll go around a minute, but that will depend on the track,” he said.
The 2014 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner is expected to clash again with Arrogate, who defeated him in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 5.
California Chrome is scheduled to make the 27th and final start of his sensational career in the Pegasus World Cup before being retiring to stud at Taylor Made in Nicholasville, Ky.

California Chrome achieved immortality in 2014, when he parlayed his two Triple Crowns scores into Horse of the Year and 3-year-old champion titles. After overcoming chronic physical issues that cut short his 2015 campaign after a second-place finish in the Dubai World Cup (G1). The son of Lucky Pulpit returned better than ever this year, capturing his first six races, including the Dubai World Cup, only to fall a half-length short of holding off Arrogate in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His 12-length victory in the Winter Challenge at Los Alamitos Dec.17 padded his record bankroll to $14.5 million.

California Chrome and Arrogate are finalists for the 2016 Horse of the Year title, which will be announced at the 46th annual Eclipse Awards Dinner in Gulfstream’s Sport of Kings facility Jan. 21, a week prior to the Pegasus World Cup.

James McIngvale’s Eragon, the multiple Group 1 winner in Argentina who is slated to make his first U.S. start in the Pegasus, is also scheduled to work either a half-mile or five furlongs Saturday morning. The Laura Wohlers-trained 6-year-old arrived at Gulfstream Jan. 5 after spending two and a half weeks in quarantine.

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.