Trainer Art Sherman bouncing back from cancer surgery

There hasn't been a more welcoming presence on the Del Mar backside during the racetrack's summer meet in recent years than trainer Art Sherman, and it's likely to stay that way for 2019.

The 82-year-old trainer underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his bladder in March and is currently going through weekly radiation treatments, but said May 28 he's feeling well and his prognosis is good.

"Think they got everything (during the surgery), so if we ride (the radiation treatments) out, I'll be OK," Sherman said.

Sherman, a California mainstay who reached the top levels of the game with two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, has to travel to San Diego for his radiation treatments but still makes it out for morning training at his Los Alamitos base four days a week.

"I like to be involved, and we've got some young horses coming in and getting ready," Sherman said. "It keeps me occupied. You gotta keep yourself occupied. I don't play golf or anything like that, but I walk the dog every morning and go to the store with my wife--it's nothing exciting, but we're moving around."

Summer dates are serving as goals after radiation treatments are through, not only to be back at Del Mar to greet his adoring fans, but to make his first trip to Ferndale, where the fair track is planning on honoring the trainer with an "Art Sherman Day" in August.

"Everything is going smooth," Sherman said. "I should be pretty well intact when Del Mar comes around and I have to get ready for Ferndale."