California Chrome

[stark]

IT'S OFFICIAL

Los Alamitos has added a stakes race to its winter meeting to give California Chrome a local prep race before the final start of his career in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28.

The Winter Challenge will be run Dec. 17 at 1 1/16 miles with a purse structure designed to entice owners and trainers to run against California Chrome, the 2014 Horse of the Year who was second in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

The race is likely to be worth more than $100,000, as it will offer $50,000 to the winner, $30,000 to the runner-up, $20,000 for third, and $15,000 for the fourth and fifth finishers, according to Los Alamitos racing secretary Bob Moreno. If the race draws a larger field, additional finishers will earn $10,000 each.

"If I get six or seven, it's gravy," Moreno said. "I think we can get five or six."
http://www.drf.com/news/los-alamitos-creates-winter-challenge-california-chrome

[stark]

I don't want to be a negative nelly and I understand Chrome will probably be 1/9 to win this event, but what if....
what if he throws in a clunker, surely he'd have to be retired without getting a chance to try the Pegasus, no?

Paid workouts are great when all goes according plan but there is always some risk involved. 

Maybe I'm just too conservative, but there comes a time when its a good idea to say ThankYou to your horse and let him make babies for a living.  This guy has already far exceeded any and all expectations, thank you indeed!

[Man o Taz]

It depends how bad of a clunker it is.

He has never run at Los Al. Training at a track is different from racing at it.

Rather than speculating, I prefer to let the race play out and discuss it afterwards since this is a pretty unlikely result.

[CA_Chrome]

Here's a stunning head shot of Chrome after his gallop last Friday: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyIH1Z0VEAAoSOd.jpg:large

Gary Tasich is a terrific photographer.

[curtis]

It depends how bad of a clunker it is.

He has never run at Los Al. Training at a track is different from racing at it.

Rather than speculating, I prefer to let the race play out and discuss it afterwards since this is a pretty unlikely result.

Not winning for fun would be a clunker. The best sacrificial lamb to go in that race would probably be Imperative. If Chrome has to work to win this or, heaven forbid, he gets beat, the next stop should be Taylor Made. If Martin and crew try to spin a sub-par effort on not ever having raced over the track and then state it's on to the Pegasus, I might start buying into the Bring Chrome Home drivel.

[Dusty]

I applaud what Los Al has done to save the So Calif horse racing population - and for them to do this for the fans deserves a HANDS UP but Chrome is more valuable than that - I would parade him and not run him there = that said HE NEEDS A RACE

[Man o Taz]

Not winning for fun would be a clunker. The best sacrificial lamb to go in that race would probably be Imperative. If Chrome has to work to win this or, heaven forbid, he gets beat, the next stop should be Taylor Made. If Martin and crew try to spin a sub-par effort on not ever having raced over the track and then state it's on to the Pegasus, I might start buying into the Bring Chrome Home drivel.

If Baffert were serious about Hoppertunity running in the  Pegasus, he might enter him in the race. That is, if Arrogate is a no show. Dortmund, if he is pointed there might be another choice.

What if Chrome breaks poorly and cannot recover? I do not think a loss would prevent his from pointing to the Pegasus. Remember, Martin is likely still in control.

THat is funny about the BHC stuff...

[afleetphil]

Not sure if running Chrome will prove anything. He needs a race ok, but what about the competition, if any. Low paying race. Will any one else show up. Not too exciting. Why not train Chrome up to the Pegasus.

[curtis]

If Baffert were serious about Hoppertunity running in the  Pegasus, he might enter him in the race. That is, if Arrogate is a no show. Dortmund, if he is pointed there might be another choice.

What if Chrome breaks poorly and cannot recover? I do not think a loss would prevent his from pointing to the Pegasus. Remember, Martin is likely still in control.

THat is funny about the BHC stuff...

Short of Victor falling off, I don't think he can get a bad enough start to keep him from beating what will probably line up against him.  Dortmund hasn't worked since the BC and Baffert hinted that he was going to give him a break, stating something along the lines, that he was losing his edge.  You'll probably get to see Hoppertunity in person next year as, it seems, Baffert has concluded that he isn't fond of the so. CA tracks.  With that purse structure, I doubt that you'll see anything but a rehash of that overnight stake that Imperative won the day before the BC, plus Chrome.  Even Los Al specialist, Soi Phet is getting a break and is supposed to be off until next year.  I suppose Arrogate's work mate, Mor Spirit, might make an appearance but I see he hasn't worked since the BC either.

[CA_Chrome]

Arrogate has not worked since Oct. 31 -- for people who might hope that he might make an appearance.

[curtis]

Arrogate has not worked since Oct. 31 -- for people who might hope that he might make an appearance.

Without another zero being added to the purse, Arrogate was never going in there. It's the Chrome Invitational--as it should be.

[peeptoad]

The connections of Arrogate announced a couple of weeks that if he was under consideration for the Pegasus he wold train up to it.

And I hope Baffert does not run Hoppertunity; I think that guy could probably use a little breather before next year.

[curtis]

The connections of Arrogate announced a couple of weeks that if he was under consideration for the Pegasus he wold train up to it.

And I hope Baffert does not run Hoppertunity; I think that guy could probably use a little breather before next year.

He wouldn't.  I agree he needs to sit out a dance, but even if Baffert does think Hoppertunity needs a race before maybe going to the Pegasus, the San Pasqual for twice as much money, at the same distance and a Gr2 to boot is being offered on New Years Day at Santa Anita.  When you consider that the San Pasqual winner gets 60% of the purse, the race will actually be worth more than twice as much to the winner.  The Los Al race should be for CA Breds.  There was a 7f CA Bred stake at Del Mar a couple of weekends a go and this race would be a good place for them to run coming out of that race and Chrome would still be eligible.  I'm not usually in favor of a horse having a stake written especially for them but Chrome is one of those exceptions as he is unique and if I haven't made it abundantly clear--while I try to be fair--I'm no Chromie.  I do get it though, Los Al has been a good soldier so let the back scratching begin.  Still, Los Al was burned before by Team Chrome, two years ago when they wrote a race for him and he ended up in the starting gate at Parx, instead.  Fool me once, shame on me.......

[stark]

What are the conditions for the LosAl Chrome Invitational?
Heard that about 30 horses pre-entered!

Can Maidens run?
The reason I ask is because track management is guaranteeing $10,000 no matter where you finish.

The first $10K they took away from Chrome by decreasing his winner's share from $60K to $50K.

Maybe Barry Abrams will come out of retirement and run a few?  7th place = $10,000 not too bad.

[CA_Chrome]

What are the conditions for the LosAl Chrome Invitational?

The Winter Challenge 2016
For Three year olds and upward.

By subscription of $100 each to accompany the nomination, or by supplementary nomination of $1,000 by closing time
of entries. $1,500 additional to start with $100,000 estimated of which $50,000 to First, $30,000 to Second, $20,000 to Third, $15,000 to Fourth and Fifth
and $10,000 to Sixth on down. Three year olds 122 lbs. Older 124 lbs. Winners of two stake races of $60,000 in 2016, to carry 2 lbs additional. Non winners
of a stake of $60,000 in 2016 allowed 2 lbs.; $60,000 in 2015 allowed 4 lbs.; two races other than maiden, claiming or starter in 2015 allowed 6 lbs. Starters
to be named through the entry box by the closing time of entries. High Weights Preferred. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Nominations
Close Saturday, December 10, 2016. One Mile and One Sixteenth.

source: http://www.losalamitos.com/Admin/TB/PDFS/StakesNominations/The%20Winter%20Challenge%202016%20nom%20blank.pdf