Recent San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winner California Chrome could be entered for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) next month, but firm plans for the colt's next race were still undetermined as of the morning of March 16.
The Santa Anita Derby, run at 1 1/8 miles, is set for April 5 at Santa Anita Park.
"We're playing it by ear with him," trainer Art Sherman said. California Chrome, who most recently captured the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) by 7 1/4 lengths March 8, is on a three-race winning streak, all in stakes.
"The horse is doing well," Sherman said. "He galloped this morning (at his headquarters at Los Alamitos Race Course). Let's say he's on the Derby trail and there's a chance he could run in the Santa Anita Derby."
The California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit , who has won his three most recent starts by a combined margin of 19 lengths, earned 50 qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Without a race between the San Felipe and the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome would have gone nearly two months without a start prior to the Louisville classic.
"We'll wait and see how the horse is doing," Sherman said.
Owned and bred by Steven Coburn and Perry Martin out of the Not For Love mare Love the Chase, the chestnut colt has won five of nine lifetime starts with one second for earnings of $534,850.