‘All systems go’ for California Chrome after holiday gallop

California Chrome remains on course for his Triple Crown bid (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography) After Triple Crown contender California Chrome galloped two miles at 6 a.m. (EDT) Monday morning over Belmont Park’s main track, assistant trainer Alan Sherman declared “all systems go” as the colt continued preparations for a date with history in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7. “The track was a little deeper today but he got over it fine,” said Sherman of California Chrome, who is bidding to end a 36-year Triple Crown drought in the 1 1/2-mile “Test of the Champion.” “All systems go.” The last horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont was Affirmed, who became racing’s 11th Triple Crown winner in 1978. Since then 11 horses have tried unsuccessfully to complete the sweep; in 2012, I’ll Have Another won the Derby and Preakness but was scratched from the Belmont.

At his daily press briefing on the Memorial Day holiday, Sherman began by
paying tribute to the men and women of the United States military.

“First off, I’d like to thank the veterans of our armed forces (and) the men
and women currently serving in the armed forces for making this country the best
country in the world,” he said.

Asked about his anxiety level as the Belmont draws closer, Alan Sherman —
son of trainer Art Sherman — said he anticipated butterflies to set in a couple
of days before the race.

“I think two or three days before the race I’ll start getting anxious,” he
said. “Right now, as long as he’s training fine, I’m doing fine.”

Sherman said he keeps his 77-year-old father — who returned to his base at
Los Alamitos after the Preakness — apprised of California Chrome’s progress via
daily telephone calls, usually before 5 a.m. Pacific time and usually quite
brief.

“I told him the horse was great,” he said.

Although the handsome chestnut colt is not weighed, California Chrome
definitely has added on some pounds since the Preakness, he said.

“We measure his girth,” Sherman said, who also revealed California Chrome
wears a standard size 6 horseshoe. “Before the Derby it was 71 inches; before
the Preakness is was 71 inches. Now he’s 72 inches.”

The assistant trainer clearly has been enjoying every minute of the Triple
Crown, but he did admit the five-week span between the May 3 Derby and the June
7 Belmont can be tiring for both horse and human and added that he was planning
on a fishing trip to Alaska later this month.

“It’s a great ride,” he said. “Back home (in California) the people have all
been really excited and it’s been great for Los Alamitos to have this horse
stabled there. I’m not looking for this to be over. But me and the horse could
probably use a rest.”

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