US champion California Chrome will run in 2000m handicap at Meydan on February 25 as his prep race for the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 26.

The race is a switch from his expected appearance on the ‘Super Saturday’ program at Meydan on March 5.

Trainer Art Sherman’s son and assistant trainer Alan Sherman confirmed the change of plans.

"I want to run him in the handicap and not on Super Saturday because it gives us another week before the World Cup." Sherman said.

"The World Cup will be his third race after a long layoff and I just think it suits our schedule better."

The 2014 US Horse of the Year arrived in Dubai on January 22 to prepare for his second World Cup attempt after finishing second last year.

He made a successful return to the races on January 9 with a victory in the G2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita in California, his first start since his second to Prince Bishop in the 2015 World Cup.

Last year California Chrome started in the World Cup off a six weeks break without a lead-up race in Dubai.

This season he is following the path taken by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin in 2008 when he won the 2008 Jaguar Trophy in Dubai before winning the World Cup.

California Chrome will face a strong field in this year’s World Cup including three other top class winners from the US.

They are Keen Ice, who upset Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the G1 Travers Stakes last year, the 2015 Santa Anita Derby winner Dortmund and Wood Memorial Stakes winner Frosted.