The smile on trainer Art Sherman's face said it all after former Horse of the Year California Chrome resumed in winning form at Santa Anita on Saturday.

It was a relief for 78-year-old Sherman to see California Chrome cruise to victory in the G2 San Pasqual Stakes at his first start since a second in the Dubai World Cup at Meyadn last March after a globetrotting campaign also took him to England.

Sherman’s son and assistant trainer Alan summed up the emotion of the day.

"It was awesome. Like we expected he ran a great race," Sherman said.

"It's kind of neat to have four generations of Shermans here. We feel privileged to have this horse and I'm so happy for my dad."

California Chrome breezed to the lead on the final turn and with a few healthy, right-handed reminders from jockey Victor Espinoza held off a determined closing drive by Imperative to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Espinoza said he was hesitant to ask the 2014 Horse of the Year too much, but also wanted to make sure he felt the same burst he experienced during California Chrome's 3-year-old season.

"He feels like a champ," the jockey said. "The most important thing was that he accelerated in the stretch.

“He came back like the old Chrome. I had to just let him do his thing and let him run a little bit in the lane."

The victory pushed California Chrome to a unique honor.

With the $120,000 winner's share the dual-classic winner now owned in partnership by original owner Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm s the highest-earning California-bred thoroughbred with $6,442,650, edging out Tiznow.

It's a distinction Art Sherman, a self-described "California boy" has been looking forward to clinching for some time.

"It means a lot to me that he's now the all-time winningest Cal-bred," the conditioner said.

"It's a great honour, and being a California boy like myself, starting out here—it brings back a lot of memories. I'm elated. I really am."

Alan Sherman said after the race that they will ship California Chrome to Dubai on January 21 where he will have one prep race before another try in the World Cup on March 26.

Following Dubai, California Chrome's connections have indicated a path to the Breeders' Cup Classic with the Pacific Classic in between.