Fans shine spotlight on Derby hopeful California Chrome

Plans for California Chrome's next race are still on hold

but that hasn't diminished interest in the California-bred colt one whit. When

it comes to gaining mainstream recognition, he may not be in Silky Sullivan's

league yet, but he's getting there.

The chestnut son of Lucky Pulpit, smashing winner of his last three

starts including the Grade 2 San Felipe last Saturday, is on the fast

track to the May 3 Kentucky Derby after earning 50 qualifying points by winning

the San Felipe.

"We just had Channel 8 from San Diego and ESPN here and

I've done nine radio interviews," trainer Art Sherman said Thursday morning by

phone from his headquarters at Los Alamitos. "I don't know why he's so popular,

but there's a ton of interest in him."

As to whether he would run in the Grade 1, $1 million Santa

Anita Derby on April 5, Sherman declared, "It's too early to know right now. He came

out of the San Felipe in good shape but he'll let me know when he's ready and

where we'll go next. Right now I'm just doing maintenance work with him, keeping

him in light training."