Art Sherman laughed as he watched his son and co-trainer Alan goof around with California Chrome, who grabbed the brim of Alan's hat with his teeth and yanked if off his head, then engaged in a chin-to-chin staredown that almost melted into a kiss.
"He is a character, and I'm talking about the horse," Sherman said of the thoroughbred he calls "my rock star."
California Chrome, beloved since he captured the nation's imagination with his Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories in 2014, will run the final race of his remarkable career on Saturday at Gulfstream Park's $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. If he wins the $7 million first prize in the richest race in thoroughbred history, he'll retire to the breeding shed as the first horse to pass $20 million in earnings.
Sherman, 79, wants this Cinderella story to end with Chrome going out on top.
"He's on his game," Sherman said at Barn 2 after Chrome's pre-dawn workout. "He seems to get better with age."
Chrome is the 6-5 favorite in a rematch with fellow California-bred Arrogate, the 7-5 second choice who overtook Chrome to win the Breeders' Cup Classic by a neck in November at Santa Anita.
Both Chrome jockey Victor Espinoza and Arrogate jockey Mike Smith will have to navigate a tricky start, with Chrome in the outside post in the 12-horse field and Arrogate in the inside post for the 1[-mile distance.
"I've not been very lucky with draws, but he's overcome every post position," Sherman said. "He's got enough early speed to put him anywhere you want."
Arrogate, 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song who won last summer's Travers Stakes in record time, also looked smooth after a 1{-mile gallop on Wednesday.
"He's such an efficient mover," said Jim Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert. "His mechanics remind me of American Pharaoh."
