Around the world and back again, California Chrome returns to action this Saturday in the (GII) San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. It will be the colt’s first start since capturing the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup in March, but if his latest workout is any indication, the layoff has done him well.

That’s 5 furlongs in a professional :59.20 if you’re keeping score, and about as impressive a work as you’ll see. Totally focused, in-hand and faaaast. As his even money odds indicate, California Chrome looks like he’ll be a handful for the six rivals set to take their shot at the champ on Saturday.

Included in the mix is Dortmund, the one-time “John” to American Pharoah’s “Paul” (or vice versa, depending on your pref), who has only raced twice since the 2015 Preakness thanks to one nagging injury after another. The massive Bob Baffert trainee has plenty of talent of course, with 8 wins from 10 career starts, and even off the 8 month layoff the 4-year-old colt should have plenty to say in the outcome.

As we reported earlier in the week, Team Chrome will donate a portion of the colt’s future earnings to the V Foundation for cancer research. Just another reason to pull for “America’s Horse”.