It is always exciting when the Derby trail comes through the Bay Area, and the El Camino Real Derby is one that local fans always make sure to circle on the calendar. Along with there being Kentucky Derby points up for grabs, the runners will also be competing for an automatic bid into the G1 Preakness Stakes. A field of 13 will be lined up to go the 1 1/8m distance over the tapeta. Below is an in-depth look at each runner in the race.
#1 Angelo’s Pride- Speed figures have improved in every start. Grinding type that will be running late. Not sure about the 9f, but he has the style that helps. This 3yo gelding is by Lakerville and out of a Game Plan mare. Saturday’s race is a big step up from Starter Allowance races. Numbers are well behind on paper, but he is improving and will be saving all the ground on the rail.
#2 King of Speed- He is definitely the class of the field as he is coming out of back to back G1 races. His last race was in the Los Al Futurity, where he lost to arguably the best 3yo in the country in Improbable. The runner up Mucho Gusto came back to win the G2 Robert B Lewis and 3rd place finisher Extra Hope came back to win an Allowance (finished ahead of Kingly). 2 races back he was running in the G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf over a boggy course. He has strong prior form on the turf and is a multiple listed stakes winner. This will be his first start since December and his trainer Jeff Bonde is no stranger to winning the El Camino Real Derby– he won it back in 2015 with Metaboss. King of Speed is by Jimmy Creed, which doesn’t scream 9f. However, he is out of an AP Indy mare. He has a strong turn of foot, which could come in handy in a race like this on a synthetic surface. Also, he could progress going from a 2yo to a 3yo. Not sure how he will he handle the 9f and the synthetic surface, but he is the class of the field and his price will be square.
#3 Data Hawk- Was supplemented into the race. Got beaten handily by Anothertwistafate last time out going 1m over the tapeta. Pedigree doesn’t necessarily scream 9f either. He is by Data Link and out of a Southern Halo mare. Must be showing something to be supplemented, but numbers are slow on paper. He will be flying from the back of the field at huge odds.
#4 Anothertwistafate- Had a rough go of things in the career debut down south sprinting on the dirt. Came back to run at his home track and had back to back dominant performances over the tapeta. While he did wire both fields, it does not seem like he needs the lead. Being able to go over a route of ground made a world of difference for him. The jump to 9f on Saturday should be no problem based on pedigree. He’s by the late Scat Daddy, who’s progeny have had a ton of success on the synthetics. Along with being the sire of Justify, Lady Aurelia, and Mendelssohn, Scat Daddy also sired the 2012 El Camino Real Derby winner Daddy Nose Best. There is also a lot of stamina on the bottom side of the pedigree, as Anothertwistafate’s dam is a 1/2 sister to multiple G1 winner and 2003 French Oaks winner Nebraska Tornado. On February 3rd, he had a stamina building 7f work and was timed in a quick 1:27.1. Jumping in class here, but he fits on figures, has the pedigree, and seems versatile.
#5 The Creep- Fastest race of his career came over this track. Ran a nice 2nd in the Gold Rush Stakes after sitting close to a hot pace. Since that race, he has comeback in 2 grass races at Santa Anita and finished behind a few of the others in this field. Galloped out well in the Gold Rush Stakes and has the pedigree to suggest he could handle the distance/surface. His sire Twirling Candy had a ton of graded stakes success on the synthetics down south and his dam is by High Yield, who won the G1 Bluegrass Stakes going 9f. Also his trainer Doug O’Neill won the 2016 El Camino Real Derby with Frank Conversation. Numbers are a bit slow, but his Gold Rush Stakes performance was solid, and should be able to handle the 1 1/8m distance.
#6 Weekly Call- His numbers have improved in every start and is coming off a 3rd in a 1m Turf Allowance at Santa Anita. Has some speed, and figures to be near the pace early. Distance and surface should be no problem based on pedigree, as he is by Multiple G1 winner Will Take Charge, and is out of G1 Del Mar Oaks winner Summer Soiree. Also, Summer Soiree won the G3 Bourbonette Oaks over the synthetics by a dominant 10 3/4 lengths. Weekly Call is the 2nd horse sent out for Doug O’Neill in this year’s race. Strong pedigree and is improving, but needs to take a big step forward here based on form.
#7 Eagles Call (IRE)- Finished in 2nd last out and a head in front of Weekly Call at Santa Anita. Is a nice 2 for 3 lifetime over a All-Weather surface and has a strong turn of foot. Also, he’s by No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) and out of a Danehill mare. Distance is on the dam side for sure, but I am not sure about the top of the pedigree. No Nay Never was a top class sprinter. Also, his last race was his first route race in 10 starts. Tough to gauge and probably an underlay at the 5/1 ml, but he loves the synthetics and has good form– distance will be the question.
#8 Rey Coliman- Coming off a 5-length defeat to Anothertwistafate last out. That was his best career race and he is one that will be running late. His pedigree suggests he will be ok at the distance. He is by Breeders Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, and is out of a Singing Saint mare. Seems outmatched on paper and will be a big price in this spot.
#9 Kingly- The Bob Baffert trainee won on debut going 6f at Del Mar in November. Came back 2 weeks ago and ran 2nd in a 1m race in the slop. During his first route race, it looked like he was struggling on the turn and was somehow able to re-rally up for 2nd. He was a bit green that day, but showed that the talent is there. His pedigree is as good as you’ll see. He is by leading sire Tapit, and out of a multiple G2 winning mare in Justwhistledixie. Also, he is a full brother to 4x G2 winner Mohaymen, and a half brother to G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile winner New Year’s Day. Baffert has had success in the El Camino Real Derby in the past, as he won it in 1996 with Cavonnier. He has the top connections, a great pedigree, and strong figures heading into this race. He is going to take a ton of money here, and is going to need to be more mature this time out.
#10 Knight’s Cross- Lightbulb seemed to go on during the last 2 starts. Broke the maiden for a 50k tag and followed that with a nose loss in a Starter Allowance. While both those starts were on the dirt, I would say it more had to do with maturity than surface. He has a nice pedigree for the tapeta. Knight’s Cross is by Mizzen Mast and out of a Stormy Atlantic mare. Mizzen Mast can get them to go long, but his dam was a sprinter. Class and distance are going to be the challenge for this Keith Desormeaux trainee. Has a bit of early speed and should sit a tactical trip. Numbers need to improve a lot.
#11 Royal Insider- He is the lone maiden in this race after not running better than 4th in his 4 career starts. Godolphin and Eoin Harty are taking a flyer in this spot. He is a one-paced type and will be grinding away throughout the 9f journey. He is by Divine Park and out of an Include mare. While he has the style for the distance, he is going to have to improve a ton in this spot.
#12 More Ice- He was last seen running 3rd in the Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita in December. He is a progressive type and it is very reasonable to think he will take another step forward here. His trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has won the El Camino Real Derby an impressive 6 times. More Ice shipped up early and has had 2 works over the tapeta surface. He is by More Than Ready and out of a Tapit mare. He should be able to handle the surface– the 9f distance is a bit questionable. His form is a little slower on figures, but horses seem to improve a lot from 2yos to 3yos. Also, getting leading jockey Abel Cedillo doesn’t hurt.
#13 Mayor Cobb- He is coming off a Starter Allowance win over this surface. The 13 post is going to be hard to maneuver, but luckily it is a long run into the first turn at this 9f distance. His race 3 back in the Gold Rush Stakes was very solid as he ran 3rd after getting a wide trip. Also it doesn’t hurt that the Jonathan Wong barn has been red hot as of late. He is by New Year’s Day (Street Cry) and out of an El Prado mare. He has enough stamina in the pedigree and has shown success on the synthetics. Will be hoping for a hot pace in front as he will be flashing his turn of foot late. Could definitely see him out-running his odds.
NorCal Horse Racing News 