Chrome's Trainer 's Record At Training For Distance?

[Patuxet]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how successful Art Sherman has previously been at training horses to race at a mile and a half -- or more? I'm fully aware that in this country such races on dirt are as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth.

[Jorge]

I visualize that based on:

01. His long decades of experience in California racing,
02. His personal relation to Swaps and that horse's s sui-generis connections,
03. His non-commercial wise small family way of doing things; and
04. The very conservative protective way he has dealt with California Chrome
prior to the Derby and the Preakness seems to assure that he is a very appropriate
trainer for trying to extend California Chrome's ability to 12 furlongs.

He seems to be a very-very capable trainer but there is one very plain truth here:
California Chrome himself alone would have to extract all the necessary inner stamina to overcome
what seems like a formidable group of talented doubting rivals. Ten furlongs is one thing and 12 furlongs
is another thing. In synthesis, anybody's guess, including jockey strategy and wisdom and a fair amount
of luck.

[Taff]

All dirt tracks are different - the contrast between lightning-fast Santa Anita and heavy, deep Belmont Park offers one reason to be sceptical about California Chrome's Triple Crown bid

[jagger]

Anyone think that his training of Chrome is a bad idea/good idea/different? Namely, the preponderance of training being relatively (for thoroughbreds) long gallops and relatively few breezes. Has he trained other horses this way?

[TJ]

All dirt tracks are different - the contrast between lightning-fast Santa Anita and heavy, deep Belmont Park offers one reason to be sceptical about California Chrome's Triple Crown bid

Hi Taff,
I wish that was the only reason to be skeptical, then he'd have it in the bag all ready:>) According to his exercise rider, he likes the Belmont oval better then the previous two tracks he won on. In the Derby Willie Delgado was worried about Chrome, because he didn't really handle the Churchill Downs track that well. Belmont isn't all that deep, except after a good rain as it dries out. Otherwise it's a very fast race track. Watch the video below. TJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZLnKfjFpTs

[Patuxet]

Given the paucity in the US of true route races on dirt my guess is that the majority of American trainers have next to no actual experience training for distance and stamina -- unless they happen to have the occasional long-winded turf runner in their barns. Gone are the days when a trainer would keep in the back of his mind the possibility of taking a shot at the the 2-mile Jockey Club Gold with a classic colt later in the season.

[JimbleBrimble]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how successful Art Sherman has previously been at training horses to race at a mile and a half -- or more? I'm fully aware that in this country such races on dirt are as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth.

Yes,


Art Sherman is presently 3-1-3 from 15 starts at distances of 1 1/2 miles or greater.


(that tallies all such races at least since the 1970's)


Of perhaps far greater concern is jockey Victor Espinoza's record at Belmont Park, career-wise, which stands at 2-8-6 / 65 starts.

(and one of those winners paid $2.60 to win)

[bdw0617]

damn.

[ak1]

Did I read correctly that most of his training pre Derby was at Los Alamitos prior to shipping to KY? How would you characterize that surface for those who know?

[BenB]

It seems that los Alamitos is more demanding than Santa Anita, that would give some more stamina by nature.

[TJ]

Did I read correctly that most of his training pre Derby was at Los Alamitos prior to shipping to KY? How would you characterize that surface for those who know?

Hi ak1,
Yes, Los Alamitos is home to California Chrome and Art Sherman. Los Alamitos was recently renovated after Hollywood Park was closed and they have asked for and received TB racing dates. The old 5/8ths mile track, was replaced by a mile oval and TB trainers and riders who are stabled there, say the track is great. After they closed Hollywood Park, they moved the Swaps Stakes to Los Alamitos and re-named it the Los Alamitos Derby. It is a 1/2 million dollar GR II race for 3YO's to be run July 5th. TJ