California Chrome arrives at Arlington Park

California Chrome landed at Arlington Park on Tuesday. The 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner and Horse of the Year will train at the racetrack ahead of the Arlington Million on Aug. 15.

Several factors came together to prompt Chrome's owners to send the 2014 U.S. Horse of the Year to Arlington, namely its location, turf surface and attraction for fans.

The race was always on their radar. Perry Martin is a Chicago native, so it was obviously attractive to him and made him want to run his great horse here," said director of marketing and communications Howard Sudberry. "They really relished the opportunity to show him off in a different part of the country.

"Also, the Million is a turf race. Last December, Chrome ran the Hollywood Derby and won it easily, showing he can handle a grass race just fine."

Chrome is the most well-known horse to race through Arlington in quite some time. The park's history is dotted with legends such as War Emblem, Spectacular Bid, and Secretariat, though only one Kentucky Derby winner has even run the Million before - Gato Del Sol in 1984.

"There have been some great ones run at Arlington Million, and we can count California Chrome on that list," Sudberry said.