California Chrome

[stark]

Simon Callaghan looking forward to expected return of Firing Line, unraced since 7th in 2015 Preakness, against Cal Chrome in San Diego (G2)

Date/Track:
7/23/2016, Del Mar
Distance:
1 1/16 m (Dirt)

[Zenyatta]

Finally! I thought Firing Line would never be back. This may be one helluva race.

[Man o Taz]

And then you add Dortmund into the mix and Nyquist if his connections really have misgivings about shipping him for the Haskell.

[stark]

Jay Privman ‏@DRFPrivman  3h3 hours ago
Alan Sherman had Chrome in 1:26 for 7/8. Official time 1:26.40. Was aggressively hand ridden. This was a serious, aggressive work.

Art didn't seem concerned about the final time saying the track is playing pretty slow, all was well back at the barn

[Man o Taz]

Time a bit slow, but it seems the track was playing that way.

[CA_Chrome]

Am I just not recognizing a normal ankle? It seems to me there's some swelling in Chrome's right fore ankle, but I'm not educated enough in equine anatomy to be sure. I'd welcome the opinion of others. Thanks.

RE the workout time, Chrome was the only horse who worked 7F, but if it means anything in terms of evaluating how the track was playing, the bullet work at 6F was 1:12.40, and the bullet work at 5F was :59.40.

[Man o Taz]

I do not think so. Looks normal to me.



From his injured hoof...

[CA_Chrome]

Thanks Man o Taz. Good to know I was just over-reacting to the play of lights and shadows. 

[stark]

7/9 Saturday morning work plus some discussion....

https://twitter.com/losalracing/status/751785466169421825

[CA_Chrome]

I didn't like that work. Dihigi practically had a choke hold on Chrome for most of it. Chrome kind of hopped and tossed his head once, something he never did in all the many other works of his that I've been able to see. Chrome did finish up quick and passed the workmate willingly enough, but the overall time was actually slower than last week's work.

[BaroqueAgain1]

I suspect that we'll see Victor on for 'Chrome's next work.

[curtis]

I didn't like that work. Dihigi practically had a choke hold on Chrome for most of it. Chrome kind of hopped and tossed his head once, something he never did in all the many other works of his that I've been able to see. Chrome did finish up quick and passed the workmate willingly enough, but the overall time was actually slower than last week's work.

Was he working alone in those other works or in company?

[CA_Chrome]

Was he working alone in those other works or in company?

Chrome usually works alone. Los Alamitos gives Art a clear, empty track for Chrome's works, and Del Mar is going to do the same next week. Dihigi's been doing a really good job galloping and working Chrome, but this past Saturday it seemed to me that he was too aggressive in holding Chrome back. No way to be certain from the video, but I think Dihigi jerked back pretty hard on the reins on the backstretch which is why Chrome broke stride and tossed his head. At least that's the way it looked to me after watching the video multiple times.

[stark]

Trainer Ron Ellis spoke on TVG yesterday about the criticisms being thrown around with regards to CC workouts and his opinion was that as horses get older, more accomplished, world travelers, they also get smarter and take better care of themselves. 

He thinks CC is smart enough to know when raceday really is and he'll put forth his best effort then, but to be held to the high standards for just an ordinary workout, well you might be disappointed because it's really not the horses intent!

[curtis]

Trainer Ron Ellis spoke on TVG yesterday about the criticisms being thrown around with regards to CC workouts and his opinion was that as horses get older, more accomplished, world travelers, they also get smarter and take better care of themselves. 

He thinks CC is smart enough to know when raceday really is and he'll put forth his best effort then, but to be held to the high standards for just an ordinary workout, well you might be disappointed because it's really not the horses intent!

I also think Chrome was getting a little rank with the rider. At this point, the horse can train himself. His biggest competition in the San Diego looks to be a come-backing Dortmund--now that Nyquist is confirmed for the Haskell--who will probably show speed. It will be in Chrome's best interest to sit off the Big Guy.