California Chrome stretches legs ahead of Pegasus World Cup

Twelve days after his track record-breaking romp in the December 17 Winter Challenge at Los Alamitos, California Chrome got back to work over his home track on Thursday.

North America’s all-time richest Thoroughbred went out early, under cover of darkness, and with regular exercise rider Dihigi Gladney. He cruised through an opening quarter in :24 2/5, completed his half-mile tour in :48 1/5, and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02 2/5.

This was simply a "maintenance work," as trainer Art Sherman noted in the Los Alamitos video below.

California Chrome is expected to post one final move at Los Alamitos next week before shipping out January 6 for Gulfstream Park, where he will conclude his Hall of Fame-worthy career in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) on January 28. Sherman plans "two key works" over the Gulfstream surface in advance of the Pegasus, and a projected rematch with Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Arrogate.

Then California Chrome will retire to stud at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Kentucky, with a glittering resume. The 2014 Horse of the Year, and champion three-year-old male, is a lock for 2016 champion older male honors, and a prime candidate to regain the Horse of the Year title.