Bay Area Trainer Prepares Kentucky Derby Winner California Chrome For Preakness Stakes
BALTIMORE (KCBS) – Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is the heavy favorite for Saturday's Preakness Stakes and his trainer, a longtime Bay Area resident, said the horse is ready to go despite some recent health concerns.
Trainer Art Sherman said Chrome is recovering from a blister discovered in its throat. "He's doing fine. It could have been from a variety of things," said Sherman.
"But we did a blood test on him and it came back perfect. We put a glycerin spray down his throat, which kind of relieved him instantly," he said. "There's a big following of veterinarians wanting to treat him too, as he's the star around here."
Longtime Bay Area Resident Art Sherman Prepares California Chrome For Preakness Stakes
California Chrome is the overwhelming favorite in Saturday's race, as a 3-5 favorite, and will be starting from the No. 3 post in the field of 10 horses.
Sherman lived in the Bay Area for some 40 years, and worked as a jockey and trainer at tracks in the region. He said he couldn't be more proud of California Chrome and jockey Victor Espinoza, after they cruised to victory at the Kentucky Derby.
"I knew that nobody was going to catch him at that given time and I think he got a little overanxious to do the victory pump," said Sherman about the horse coasting to victory. "I would have wished he waited until the wire. But I can understand a jockey winning the Kentucky Derby."
Sherman said it has been a wild ride, going from smaller tracks in California to now, being at the top of the horse racing world.
"It's everybody's dream to win the Kentucky Derby. I felt really blessed to win the Santa Anita Derby. That was one of my all-time great races to win," he said. "I am very thankful and blessed really."
The 139th Preakness Stakes, the second jewel to horse racing's Triple Crown, will be held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD, with post time at 3:18 PT.
