Worries Subside Over California Chrome's Cough, Sore Throat
(CBS) A day after a ruckus erupted over Preakness favorite California Chrome's sore throat and cough, one of his trainers put any doubts to rest over the horse's health ahead of tomorrow's big race.
"I just want to say that California Chrome is fine," assistant trainer Alan Sherman said, according to the Baltimore Sun. "His throat is fine. He's got a little tickle in his throat. That's why he coughed. He's not going to be scratched. He's fine. It's not a problem. I don't know why it got blown out of proportion. I'm just letting everybody know this horse is in perfect shape."
California Chrome galloped "smoothly" and without problem at Pimlico Race Course on Friday morning, the Sun reported. On Thursday, there were worries about his health after he coughed a few times and it was revealed he had a small blister in his throat that itches. Sherman had said the blister appeared before the Kentucky Derby and that it's being treated with a glycerin throat wash.
Trainer Art Sherman said he couldn't be happier with his horse's form. As a California horse, the Derby champion hasn't seen much rain in his 3-year-old life.
"I think it's going to be perfect for him," Sherman said. "Now that I see him going over the track today with the way the track was and the wind was blowing, he just went around there like, 'Hey, I can go. I can do it.' So I'm sure he's going to run."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
