California Chrome warms up for last start

California Chrome has claimed a 12-length win in a race created to farewell him at his local track.

California Chrome has claimed a 12-length win in a race created to farewell him at his local track in preparation for his final start in Florida.

Los Alamitos added the Winter Challenge to its program to give their star resident a local lead-up to his career finale in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream on January 28.

California Chrome did as expected, winning in track record time, covering the 1-1/16 miles (1700m) 1:40.03secs.

The Pegasus sets up a rematch with Arrogate who beat California Chrome in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“Now I can relax and get ready for the Pegasus. I want Arrogate bad. I have something in my heart that says Chrome can beat him,” trainer Art Sherman said.

California Chrome will stand at Taylor Made Farm in 2017.

He won the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and his record includes this year’s Dubai World Cup.