Sherman pleased with California Chrome's Dubai World Cup draw

2014 Horse of the Year, California Chrome will attempt to win the world’s richest race from an outside post on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse. In today’s draw for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, a field of nine was entered, with the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner drawing the far outside position of #9. The post position of his stable star came as welcome news to his experienced and likeable trainer, Art Sherman. “I love it (post 9). Nine is a perfect position for our horse,” said Sherman. “I’ve got all the speed horses to the inside of me and he loves to run from the outside." Sherman went on to dissuade any worries about how California Chrome was handling the new dirt racing surface at Meydan.

“The surface is not a concern – good horses can run on anything even tarmac,” Sherman said. “Victor (jockey Espinoza) knows him really well. I’m just really glad to be here. We’ve gotten a lot of texts. He’s a rock star all around the world.”

Besides the position of the California-bred favorite, other key draw positions include, #5 Lea, #1 Prince Bishop, and #3 for the defending champion, African Story, and #4 for the Japanese star, Epiphaneia. More quotes from the Dubai World Cup draw, courtesy of the Dubai Racing Club, are below ...

Saeed bin Suroor (trainer, Prince Bishop (IRE), post 1 and African Story (GB), post 3) – Regarding Prince Bishop: “I just hope he jumps well. He’s been working well and this is his race.”

Regarding African Story: “He won this race last year. I’m happy with stall three. He won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3. He won this race last year. Good horses go on any surface and this is a very good horse.”

Michiaki Yabbe (owner, Hokko Tarumae (JPN), post 2) – “Going back to dirt is a big advantage and we’re really happy. This is an ideal draw.”

Anna Lisa Balding (wife of trainer Andrew, Side Glance (GB), post 4) – “He’s a mature racehorse. He’s in great form. If he could be (at least) fourth again, that would be brilliant.

“He’s going to be fine coming from stall 4. It’s better than 1 or 8 and there should be plenty of pace on which should suit him. He’ll wear head gear in the race and that will help him face the kickback.”

Perhaps California Chrome’s biggest challenge could come from a fellow American, in Lea, who drew right next to another horse from the United States, Candy Boy ...

Bill Mott (trainer, Lea (USA), post 5) – “We’re glad to be here. Proud to have been associated with Cigar who won the first Dubai World Cup and we’re excited to be back with Lea.

“I’ve heard that speed is a big asset here and he has tactical speed. We’ll let him place himself and see what happens.

“I think we got lucky. We’d have been happy with anything from the middle to outside draw. In a perfect world, we’d have liked to have been outside California Chrome, but we are still in a good spot.”

Doug Watson (trainer, Candy Boy (USA), post 6): “We had no choice coming last (selected) in the draw, but if we had a choice, we would have wanted them in the order 5, 4 or 6.

“We got 6 so that’s fine. He’ll be able to see what everybody does from the start.”

Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer, Long River, post 7) – “I’m very happy with the draw. If you’d have asked me beforehand I would have asked for 5, 6 or 7 and we got 7. I think it’s an open race. His preparation has been very good and he will run well.”

Katsuhiko Sumi (trainer, Epiphaneia (JPN), post 8) – “He jumps out of the gates really well. This is a good draw to be able to see the inside horses.”

And finally, one more quote from Team California Chrome ...

Steve Coburn (owner California Chrome (USA), post 9) - “We’re really happy with (the draw). This has been an amazing journey. You know that building, the world’s tallest (Burj Khalifa) building – well take that building times 10 and that’s the hospitality we’ve experienced over here.”