HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) – California Chrome has one race left in his career, and is in such good condition right now that trainer Art Sherman is clamoring for more time with him. It’s easy to see why.
California Chrome was the biggest winner at the Eclipse Awards on Saturday night, taking home three trophies celebrating his accomplishments in 2016 – including Horse of the Year for the second time. He also won an Eclipse as the best in the older dirt male division, and his victory at the Dubai World Cup was picked as the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s moment of the year.
“It’s really an honor,” Sherman said. “People don’t realize how hard that is to be horse of the year, and I appreciate it. It gives me a chance to say, ‘Wow.’ I got the horse of the year trophy when he won it the last time we were here. It’s a gorgeous trophy. This will be another one in my trophy case. It’s been filled up pretty good by Chrome, I can tell you that.”
California Chrome beat out Arrogate – who toppled Chrome when they met at the Breeders’ Cup Classic – and Songbird for horse of the year. California Chrome is the eighth horse to win that crown multiple times, after also winning in 2014, and joined John Henry as only to do so in non-consecutive years.
California Chrome’s final race is Jan. 28, when he’ll face Arrogate again in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.