Art Sherman's Journey to the Belmont Stakes

California Chrome has brought a lot of attention to the sport of horse racing these past few weeks. Even for the fan, there is always something special about a Triple Crown bid and the story that the horse and his connections are telling. For me, I’m thrilled to have had the chance to learn more about his trainer Art Sherman.

Prior to him becoming the oldest trainer to ever score the Kentucky Derby his horse California Chrome made me look at Sherman a little closer. While I’m not a regular on the California Circuit I was able to get familiar pretty quickly. Going into the Belmont Stakes, however, there’s something else that I admire and couldn’t help but noticing.

It has always been a part of sports but in today’s era, a former player becoming a coach is a regular occurrence. And why not, the athletes are now as much involved with the x's and o's of their sport as anyone and at the end of the day it’s what they do, or at least know, best. In most cases it’s becoming an easy choice and the former players turned coach are proving themselves to be well worth the risk. (See Below) 

In horse racing however, it is a bit rare that a former jockey steps into the role of trainer. Barring Bob Baffert’s very brief stint how many other top level trainers were once jockeys? It may be a little bit of stretch to compare a rider turned conditioner to a professional player turned coach but they are similar in more ways than not for me.

As California Chrome attempts to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978 I can’t help but to consider Art Sherman’s past experiences within the sport a huge advantage. And it might also speak to what appears to be a fantastic relationship with this rider, Victor Espinoza. How confident would you be as a jockey accepting strategy from someone who has also received a leg up on so many occasions?

It began in 1953 when the teenager began his career as an exercise rider for Rex Ellsworth. The hard work paid off when he became the regular exercise rider for the eventual Kentucky Derby winner Swaps in 1955. From there Sherman began his racing career as a jockey in 1957.

His career lasted over twenty years in which time he scored over 2,000 wins and as many memorable moments that I’m sure stick with him today. After retiring in 1978 Sherman got started as an assistant before he set out on his own in 1980.

Since that time he has constantly been at work doing what he loves in the great state of California. Over the 34 years prior to his legendary run in 2014 Art Sherman proved he knew a thing or two about training winners; over 2,000 wins, $36 million in earnings and ten years in which he surpassed the $1 million mark in total earnings.

Although he might not have been able to reach the peak of the mountain from the saddle, the next chapter of Art Sherman’s career is what has brought him to the door steps of becoming a Triple Crown winner.

Now, to see a horsemen reach this point of racing immortality is very special. When looking at his resume from top to bottom and the success he’s had as a trainer more so than a jockey there is one other polarizing figure that I can compare him to, the King of the Belmont Stakes.

When you talk about sports records that will never be broken I am confident that no one will ever duplicate what Woody Stephens did at Belmont Park between 1982 and 1986 - 5 consecutive Belmont Stakes wins. I can’t decide what’s harder to fathom, the fact that he actually did it or if something so spectacular could ever happen again.

Born and bred in the Bluegrass State, the renowned Hall of Fame trainer also began his horse racing career in the saddle. Although it was before Art Sherman’s time and that his racing career was much shorter (roughly five years) Woody Stephens would also find more fame, fortune and success on the other side of the fence.

Now comparing them side by side is where Woody Stephens would hold a distinct advantage for his career as a trainer included more Triple Crown wins, one more Kentucky Derby and many more Graded Stakes victories, honors and awards. Although he came very close with his favorite 3-yr-old Swale in 1984, Woody never won a Triple Crown.

Even though California Chrome is his first Triple Crown nominated horse and that it has been years since he's last been at Belmont Park, Art Sherman has done enough to be remembered well after his career officially comes to an end. But to sweeten the pot and be remembered as a former jockey that went on to train a Triple Crown winner would be the classic tale of an athlete that knew their sport inside and out and as someone that was blessed with the talent to compete and also teach.

California is the right place to be.

Of the 15 major sport teams in the state of California, excluding the coachless Lakers, only the Oakland Raiders and Sacramento Kings are not currently led by a former professional player. What is so interesting to me about all of these coaches is how much success they have had in the second chapter of their professional careers.

In comparison to Art Sherman the names that jump out me right away are Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants, Darryl Sutter of the Los Angeles Kings and Doc Rivers of the Los Angeles Clippers.

All three of them were solid professional players but it wasn’t until they hung up their cleats, skates and sneakers that they would enjoy the thrill of the ultimate prize; World Series, Stanley Cup and NBA Finals Champion.

Bochy is the leader with two World Series titles but Sutter is clipping at his heels as his Kings now lead the New York Rangers 1-0 in this year’s Stanley Cup Finals. As good as they are the coach that fills the void for the Lakers is the guy that their fans would do anything to have back for one more season.

He’s widely considered one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time because he has more rings than he has fingers; 11. Some people may forget that he still has more. Once you add the two he notched as a player for the New York Knicks his draw dropping total rises to 13. In the category of best player/coach of all time Phil Jackson is hands down number one. However, Mike Sciosica of the Angels is also another California coach that enjoyed the best of both worlds with the Dodgers as a player and then again as the Manager of the Angels.

Current California coaches that are former players

*To read more about Woody’s Five Consecutive Wins click Here (belmontstakes.com)