Bayern, California Chrome work ahead of possible San Antonio rematch

Bayern, California Chrome work ahead of possible San
Antonio rematch

California Chrome (left) is confirmed for the San Antonio, while Bayern (far right) could opt for the Donn instead (Breeders’ Cup Ltd. Photo) Bayern and California Chrome, each a strong contender for Horse of the Year and male three-year-old champion honors for 2014, worked at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos, respectively, Saturday morning, in what could lead to a Breeders’ Cup Classic rematch in the Grade 2, $500,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on February 7. “He worked real nice,” Bob Baffert said of Classic hero Bayern, who had regular rider Martin Garcia aboard for a five-furlong move in 1:00 2/5. “He was very comfortable. We’re just working to get him back to the races. We have a few spots in mind, including the San Antonio and the Donn.” The Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park is a Grade 1, $500,000 race at 1 1/8 miles the same day as the San Antonio, which also will be decided at 1 1/8 miles. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, a close third to Bayern in the Classic, went six furlongs at Los Al in 1:12 3/5 with regular pilot Victor Espinoza up. Wearing blinkers and on a cleared track just after 8 a.m. (PST), California Chrome cut fractions of :23 4/5, :48 2/5 and 1:00 2/5, according to Los Alamitos head clocker Russ Hudak.

“Great” is how the drill was termed by Alan Sherman, son of and assistant to
trainer Art Sherman.

“It would be fun to see these three horses come together again in the San
Antonio.”

Alan Sherman was including Shared Belief to make for a well-matched trio.

Male two-year-old champion of 2013 Shared Belief, winner of seven of eight
starts including the Malibu Stakes on December 26, also is ticketed for the San
Antonio. The gelded son of Candy Ride suffered his only loss when he finished
fourth after a rough start in the November 1 Classic.

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer plans to work Shared Belief Tuesday
at his Golden Gate headquarters.

At Santa Anita, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red worked five furlongs
in 1:02 2/5 for Keith Desormeaux. The Kentucky Derby hopeful is expected to make
his three-year-old debut in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on
February 1.

Gold Cup at Santa Anita winner Majestic Harbor went the same distance in a
bullet :59 for Sean McCarthy, who plans to run the son of the late Rockport
Harbor in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes next Saturday.

Sam’s Sister, who at 12-1 upset odds-on favorite Taris in the La Brea Stakes
on opening day, worked four furlongs for Jerry Hollendorfer in a bullet :45 3/5,
fastest of 55 drills at the distance, the average time of which was :48.53.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com