Thursday marked a second consecutive day in which Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome galloped around Churchill Downs' main track.
The 3-year-old colt, with exercise rider Willie Delgado in the saddle, galloped 1 1/2 miles for his second appearance after his victory in the Run for the Roses last Saturday.
"His temperament is excellent," said Alan Sherman, assistant to his father Art Sherman. "He got a little fired up on the walkover (before the Derby) but he settled down once he got in the paddock.
"I think he just tolerated the track. This track is deeper and sandier than at Los Alamitos and the dirt is different. It is a lot darker at home. But, they don't pay any more to break track records."
California Chrome, owned by Steven Coburn and Perry Martin, will travel by plane to Baltimore for the Preakness as early as Monday, May 12. He again will be ridden by Victor Espinoza in the Preakness at Pimlico.
The only other Kentucky Derby horse expected to start the Preakness is Ride On Curlin, trained by Billy Gowan. The colt galloped 1 1/8 miles Thursday at Churchill Downs with exercise rider Bryan Beccia. Joel Rosario replaces Calvin Borel for the Preakness after the colt finished seventh in the Run for the Roses.
Also galloping 1 1/2 miles at Churchill for the Preakness was Bayern. The 3- year-old is trained by Bob Baffert and will be ridden by Rosie Napravnik on May 17.
Illinois Derby winner Dynamic Impact, trained by Mark Casse, had a 1 1/2-mile gallop at Churchill as well. The colt will have the services of jockey Miguel Mena in the Preakness.
Filly Ria Antonia also galloped 1 1/2 miles Thursday morning at Churchill with the expectation she will start in the Preakness. The filly was transferred to Tom Amoss this week from Bob Baffert's barn. She finished sixth in the Kentucky Oaks.
"That's the first time I have had one moved into my barn that close to a Grade 1 race," said Amoss, "I did not see her last fall when she was in the Breeders' Cup, but I got to watch her train for two weeks before the Oaks when she came out in the 8:30 time slot (reserved for Oaks and Derby horses). She was very impressive and that is what I want to see now."
There are currently nine probable starters for the second leg of racing's Triple Crown.
[SportsNetwork.com]
