The price tag has been set for California Chrome to run in Del Mar’s Pacific Classic this summer: $2 million.

“The Pacific Classic is on our agenda,” said Art Sherman, California Chrome’s trainer, on Monday, “but we hope they raise the purse to $2 million. That would get us there.

“There are a lot of other tracks out there that want us.”

The Grade I Pacific Classic, scheduled for Aug. 20, has a purse of $1 million. A purse increase would take some negotiating with the Thoroughbred Owners of California.


“The horse is certainly worth it,” said Joe Harper, president and CEO of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “Now the question is whether we can afford it. We’ll have to see. We’d love to have him. Maybe I can get Art down to $1.5 million.”

California Chrome is coming off a victory last month in the $10 million Dubai World Cup, his third win in as many starts this year.

× California Chrome to race at Del Mar

The 5-year-old horse was named Horse of the Year in 2014 after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness as a 3-year-old. He sealed the title that November with a victory in the Hollywood Derby on Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course. His only other races at Del Mar came the previous year on the track’s old synthetic surface: He won the Graduation Stakes before finishing sixth in the Del Mar Futurity.


California Chrome is currently the No. 1 -ranked thoroughbred in the country, if not the world, after his win in Dubai. Ever since the race, Del Mar representatives have been talking to Sherman and his owners about running at the seaside oval.

“Absolutely, he’s the best handicap horse in the country,” said Sherman, who once trained horses for Harper. “I think this is going to be a really big year for him, and it already has been, but it could be even more.”

The Chrome camp has stated its ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita and that the horse would only run maybe two or three times the rest of the year.

Right now, California Chrome is on a farm in Kentucky for some rest and relaxation.


“I’m anxious to get him back,” said Sherman, who added he thinks the horse will return to his barn at Los Alamitos Race Course on or about May 7. “I’ve seen some pictures of him and he looks like he has put some weight back on.”

Sherman said he is unsure if Chrome would need a prep race going into the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic. Del Mar officials have talked to Sherman about possibly running in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap on July 23. Sherman brought up the possibility of prepping on the Del Mar turf course in the 1 1/8-mile Eddie Read on July 17.

“He’s run and won on that grass course before,” said Sherman. “I do want to get him back here and see where we are with him.”

So Del Mar could end getting a 2-for-1 deal with Chrome.


The Pacific Classic could shape up as the top race this summer nationwide.

The brilliant mare mare Beholder, who beat the boys in last year’s Pacific Classic, has returned to training and is being pointed for a comeback race next month at Santa Anita. Her connections are also expected to entertain thoughts of a repeat at Del Mar with the ultimate goal of the BC Classic, a race she was entered in last year against Triple Crown winner American Pharoah but had to scratch due to a fever.

“That would be great,” said Sherman of running against Beholder at Del Mar. “It would be standing room only.”

Said Harper: “No doubt about it to have both of them in the Pacific Classic would be an amazing race. It would be a track operator’s dream. I think if they’re willing to do it, there’s a deal to be made.”


Last year, the Pacific Classic had its lowest all-time attendance as the race was held on a Saturday against a Padres’ home game and Chargers’ exhibition game on television. Even though the race is on a Saturday this year against the same competition, Del Mar thinks California Chrome alone would increase attendance immensely.

“”It would be huge,” said Tom Robbins, Del Mar’s executive vice president, racing and industry relations. “California Chrome’s popularity is second to none. He brings a lot of people and enthusiasm no matter where he runs. It would be massive at Del Mar. We are keeping our fingers crossed and we’re doing everything we can to get him to stay in California to race.”