California Chrome Ready To Rock In Dubai

California Chrome is ready for his moment. After a lost four year old season the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner is back for vengeance looking downright menacing as he gets ready to try and claim the victory in the $10 Million Dubai World Cup. He almost won this race a year ago but was nipped in the stretch by an unlikely spoiler, an eight year old gelding with only one previous Group One victory in 27 starts. That was Prince Bishop, who has been retired following his shocking victory.

But California Chrome is back partially racing to redeem his legacy and partially to bolster his credentials as a breeding stallion. His stud rights are owned by Kentucky’s Taylor Made Farm and they reportedly were behind the push to race Chrome as a five year old. His dubious pedigree is now the stuff of legend but not exactly at the top of a ‘shopping list’ for a stud horse. You’d think that Chrome’s credentials would stand on their own–a Kentucky Derby win, a Preakness win, a Santa Anita Derby win among other accomplishments but apparently not. According to trainer Art Sherman, Chrome will race on after this cherry picking races with big purses.

Maybe, maybe not–this is the prize that team Chrome has eyed since bringing him back into training late last year. He’s not had any trouble with his prep races for Dubai–he won the Grade 2 San Pasqual in a slow time at Santa Anita. On February 26 in Dubai he ripped an inferior cast of competitors in his final prep races despite carrying 15 pounds more than the rest of the field. Chrome looks fit and ready and trainer Sherman seems confident but it’s hard to read much about his true form.

Then again, it might not matter against a Dubai World Cup field that doesn’t look especially formidable. The Americans here along with California Chrome are Frosted, Mshawish, Keen Ice, and Hoppertunity–all Grade One winners on dirt but not exactly a ‘murderers row’. The rest of the field: Hong Kong shipper local horses Mubtaahij, Special Fighter, and Candy Boy joined by Vadamos (France), Hokko Tarumae (Japan) and Teletext from Saudi Arabia.