In the spring he was simply sensational and fell a little less than two lengths shy of becoming one of the sport's greatest legends when a dead-heat for fourth in the Belmont Stakes deprived him of a Triple Crown sweep.
Now, in the course of the next month and a half we'll find out if California Chrome is a champion.
The horse that was so dazzling in his Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories ends a 15-week layoff Saturday when he returns to the races as an even money favorite in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing -- a spot in which the owner of one of his main rivals believes the California-bred is "vulnerable."
When last seen California Chrome was exiting the Belmont Stakes with a sore hoof and co-owner Steve Coburn was ranting like a sore loser, calling some of his rivals in the Test of the Champion "cowards."
But after California Chrome enjoyed five weeks of rest and relaxation at a California farm, trainer Art Sherman insists the hoof is fine. His colt is back at the top of the game and ready for the challenges ahead on the road to the 3-year-old championship and perhaps Horse of the Year honors.
"His last two or three works have been awesome," Sherman said Tuesday in a National Thoroughbred Racing Association conference call. "I think he's reaching his peak. This gives us time to prepare for the Breeders' Cup. Once he gets this race under his belt and comes out of it fine, we won't have any problem going another eighth [in the Breeders' Cup Classic], believe me. This horse can run."
Though a race at a small track like Parx may seem unworthy of a Derby winner, dollars from casino revenue has turned the Pennsylvania Derby into one of the year's richest races strictly for 3-year-olds and brought out at least a few rivals who will test California Chrome's mettle.
While Bayern, the 7-2 second choice, showed he wanted no part of a mile-and-a-quarter in the Travers, his 7 ¼-length romp in the $1 million Haskell illustrates his effectiveness at the Pennsylvania Derby's mile-and-an-eighth distance.
Tapiture (5-1) is coming off wins in the West Virginia Derby and Matt Winn. Candy Boy (12-1) lost by a nose in the West Virginia Derby, while the Todd Pletcher-trained Protonico (6-1) finished only a head behind eventual Travers winner V.E. Day in the Curlin at Saratoga.
All of them, with the exception of Protonico, lost to California Chrome in either the Kentucky Derby or Preakness, but Ron Winchell, owner of Tapiture, voiced the opinion that now, with California Chrome coming off a layoff, is the perfect time to avenge those setbacks.
"We're sitting in a prime position with the win in the Matt Winn and the West Virginia and [Tapiture] making his third start since the Derby," said Winchell who also owns the leading 3-year-old filly Untapable, the 7-5 favorite over Alabama winner Stopchargingmaria and Test victor Sweet Reason in Saturday's $1 million Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx. "California Chrome is coming back and trying to go a mile and an eighth against horses in top form. I think it leaves [California Chrome] a little vulnerable in my book. [The Pennsylvania Derby] wouldn't have been my choice if I was owner of the horse, but it's definitely a good time to face him. I wouldn't want to face him later when he has two or three more starts."
Sherman chuckled when Winchell's comments were passed along and said, "Oh, really, where did he want me to run? They must not think much of Shared Belief. Shared Belief is a good horse. I want to be at my best when I hook him. He and my horse are the best 3-year-olds in the country. I think the Awesome Again is going to come up tougher than this race. I might be wrong. This is for (3-year-olds only), why do I have to hook older horses until the Breeders' Cup anyhow? For a million dollars as opposed to $300,000 (in the Awesome Again), you'd have to take a shot. Wouldn't you?"
Appearance fees of $100,000 for owners Steve Coburn and Perry Martin as well as Sherman no doubt also played a role in opting to run in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, instead of their home state of California. Yet whether the comeback started on the East Coast, West Coast or somewhere in between, the main question involves whether California Chrome can return as good or even better than he was in the spring.
"[Jockey could Victor Espinoza] couldn't say enough about him after his last work," Sherman said. "He was push button. You don't want to run a short horse in races like this. If he gets outrun, he gets outrun. I look for him to run a big race … they'll have to have their running shoes on."
In Presidential elections, Pennsylvania has usually played a pivotal role in the outcome, living up to its nickname of "The Keystone State." Here, in California Chrome's bid for a championship, he, too, will have to carry the day in Pennsylvania and then close the deal in California.
All in all, it should make for some interesting times as the reports from the final precincts roll in.