California Chrome being treated for cough, blister in throat

California Chrome ran the slowest Kentucky Derby time (2:03.66) since Super Saver in 2010. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, bidding to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, was heard coughing by ESPN's Jeannine Edwards on Thursday morning, and trainer Art Sherman later confirmed the chestnut colt is trying to ward off a cold.

Assistant trainer Alan Sherman also said California Chrome has a small blister in his throat, according to Blood-Horse.com, and is being treated with a glycerin throat wash to coat the area.

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"The horse is completely fine," Art Sherman said. "His bloodwork came back perfect, he coughed about four times today and we got him checked out right away. The blister isn't going to affect him at all; the vet said there were absolutely no other problems, nothing else going on."

Edwards reported that she heard California Chrome coughing after a 1 1/2-mile gallop at Pimlico, the site of Saturday's 139th running of the Preakness Stakes.

The horse will train, so long as he is healthy, on Friday morning.

A 3-5 favorite for the race, California Chrome will start from the third post position in the 10-horse field. The position has produced 10 winners, the last being Prairie Bayou in 1993, according to ESPN.

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