Victor Espinoza is upbeat about California Chrome’s chances when he returns to Meydan for a second crack at the Dubai World Cup.
Winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2014, the five-year-old found only Prince Bishop too good in the world’s richest race last year, going down by just under three lengths.
California Chrome was then sent to Britain for a shot at the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot but suffered a setback just days before the race.
He was off the track until his triumphant return at Santa Anita earlier this month.
Espinoza, visiting London as part of the team around American Pharoah who has been named the world’s best horse, admits he was not convinced Art Sherman’s charge was back to his best when he lined up in the San Pasqual Stakes.
“I’m curious like everybody else how he will run his next race in Dubai as he has to ship and it’s a long way to get there,” Espinoza said.
“He has done it before, but you never know. If he runs the way he ran his last race, I think he will be in good shape for the Dubai World Cup.
“I think it will be too much for him to run twice before the World Cup. One race before will be enough and he will be in good shape.
“I will ride the World Cup how the race is set up. It’s always about the pace. I’m not worried who is in there.”
