Jonathan Lintner

@JonathanLintner

It was after the Preakness Stakes, when Bob Baffert’s Bayern lost to California Chrome by 20 lengths, that the trainer said his colt “didn’t want any part” of the Kentucky Derby winner.

Much has changed since then, with Bayern the top challenger of seven horses set to compete with California Chrome in his return to racing: Saturday’s Grade II Pennsylvania Derby.

Trained by Art Sherman, California Chrome drew the inside post and was assigned even-money morning line odds during Monday’s draw at Parx Racing. Second-choice Bayern will break from the No. 4 post with odds of 7-2.

While some California Chrome connections, including assistant trainer Alan Sherman and exercise Rider Willie Delgado, have already made the trip to Pennsylvania, the Derby and Preakness Stakes winner is set to arrive Tuesday. Appearance fees associated with the race, as well as a $1 million purse, made it worth shipping the dual-classic winner one more time before the Breeders’ Cup.

“Philly cheesesteaks, here we come,” trainer Art Sherman told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Saturday after his horse’s final pre-race workout, six furlongs in 1:13.

Bayern enters off a quick breeze of his own. He worked five furlongs Saturday at Santa Anita in :58.6, fastest of 78 at that distance.

The Pennsylvania Derby’s top two picks haven’t met since the Preakness. Since then, California Chrome went on to finish in a dead heat for fourth at the Belmont Stakes, coming away with a foot injury and no Triple Crown. Bayern went on to win Belmont’s Grade II Woody Stephens and Monmouth’s Grade I Haskell. He was 10th in the Grade I Travers at Saratoga last time out.

Others in the Pennsylvania Derby field are Candy Boy (12-1), Protonico (6-1), Noble Moon (15-1), Classic Giacnroll (15-1), Tapiture (5-1) and C J’s Awesome (12-1).

Rounding out what’s already been billed the biggest day of horse racing in Pennsylvania, Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable, breaking from the 8 post, will headline a field of nine in the Grade I Cotillion Handicap. With Rosie Napravnik set to ride, Untapable’s morning line odds are 7-5.

Second-pick Sweet Reason is 3-1 from post 2 and Stopchargingmaria 9-2 from the outside.

Both races Saturday, while not broadcast on local TV, will be live-streamed at AmericasBestRacing.com with the show starting at 4:30 p.m.

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.