El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields
Las Vegas, NV - Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, California hosts one of the two remaining Prep Races on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" this Saturday, February 16. Three year old hopefuls will line up in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby - a 1 1/8 mile race on Golden Gate's synthetic track looking for their share of the $200,000 purse and more importantly the qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby in May.
The El Camino Real has attracted a field of nine for race 8 on Golden Gate's Saturday schedule. Post time is 4:22 PM. Here is a look at the performances of all nine entries ahead of this important points gathering Grade 3 race.
2013 El Camino Real Derby Race Favorites
Manando - Bob Baffert entry has five career starts with four thirds and a win which came two back in a MSW at Hollywood park December 13. Last time out was a good third in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita January 5 with a Beyer Speed Figure of 91 - best of any in the El Camino field. He has place every time out but has yet to break through against top competition. Manando is highly regarded and your morning line favorite this Saturday.
Zeewat - very impressive Jerry Hollendorfer colt has six career starts with four wins including his last two starts on this track - the minor California Derby over Wildcat Moon last time out January 12 and the Gold Rush Stakes two back December 8. He started his career with two wins then had a fourth in the Tim Conway Stakes at Santa Anita in October and a third in the Golden Nugget Stakes here in November.
El Camino Real Derby 2013 | Remaining Field Entries
Carving - Bob Baffert pupil has five career starts with three wins - the lone blemishes coming three back in his graded stakes debut - a fourth at the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes in September at Santa Anita and last time out - a disappointing sixth in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity. He has two minor stakes wins under his belt - the Real Quiet at Hollywood Park November 10 and the C.B. Afflerbaugh Stakes at Fairplex Park September 12 so we now that Carving can produce against top competition despite a poor last outing.
Wildcat Moon - Jeff Bonde trained colt raced to a second last time out in his stakes debut - the California Derby 1/2 length behind Zeewat January 12 after holding the lead for the majority of the race. Before that were two straight wins on this track after a streak of four second place finishes to start his career and a third four back in a MSW here in October.
El Camino Real Derby betting at Golden Gate Fields with OffTrackBetting.com
Rush In - has four career starts with two wins and a second place finish. He was fourth three back in his only stakes action - the Gold Rush Stakes here December 8 but followed that with a Starter Allowance score January 6 and a second in an Allowance Optional Claiming last time out here February 1.
Nina's Dragon - races in stakes company for the first time Saturday after three career starts produced a win and two third place finishes. The win came two back in a MSW on this track December 29. Last time out was a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming here February 1.
Dice Flavor - Patrick Gallagher trained colt will make his stakes debut after a win and two third place finishes in four career starts. He broke maiden two back at Hollywood Park and was third last time out in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Santa Anita February 1.
Counting Days - broke maiden November 20 in his third career start and followed that with a seventh in the Grade 3 Generous Stakes November 24 and a fifth last time out in an Allowance race at Santa Anita December 28.
North Pacific - started his career at Hastings and shipped to Golden Gate where he has made four straight MSW starts. Last time out was a win January 19 after a third two back, a third three back and an eighth four back.
