A field of ten will line up in the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields (photo credit: Golden Gate Fields)
A field of 10 will line up in Saturday’s $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3), a Road to the Derby points race, with the Mark Casse trained Conquest Typhoon the one to beat.
The colt makes his three-year-old debut and his first start over the Tapeta surface at Golden Gate Fields. The colt does have two starts over polytrack, both runner up finishes in stakes company.
The race offers up 10-4-2-1 points to the top four finishers as part of the Road to the Derby series of races. The only other Derby points race this holiday weekend is Monday’s $300,000 Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who has won the race a record six times including last year with Tamarando sends out a trio of runners–California Derby winner Cross the Line (5-1), recent maiden winner Harmonic (20-1) and Cal Derby third place finisher Stand and Salute. The latter will be ridden by Russell Baze, a nine-time winner of the race.
Conquest Typhoon is currently listed at 35-1 in early Kentucky Derby betting at Bovada.
Let’s head out to Golden Gate Fields for Saturday’s featured race of the day:
Golden Gate Fields Race 7 The El Camino Real Derby (G3) Post time 3:45 PT
9 Conquest Typhoon 7-2
3 Metaboss 8-1
8 Stand and Salute 6-1
2 Indianaughty 4-1
Conquest Typhoon makes his three-year-old debut here after landing in the exacta in five of his six starts as a juvenile. The lone miss was a decent fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). His last outing was a win in the Cecil B. Demille (G3) on turf at Del Mar. The third place finisher in that race as Rock Shandy, who came back to run second in the Sham (G3) and a distant third in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in his next two starts.
The Mark Casse trainee has run on synthetic surfaces twice, both time in runner up finishes on polytrack at Woodbine. His most recent was a second in the Grey (G3) last October. The colt has been working sharply on dirt at Santa Anita for his return. He is a half to stakes placed Bubbles to the Top ($275,363)
Metaboss made a good late rally despite lugging in to get up and break his maiden in his fourth career start last out on turf at Santa Anita going nine furlongs. Two back he ran a good second behind Bolo, who won the Eddie Logan in his next outing on Dec. 27.
Three back our second choice ran fourth in the off the turf Juvenile Turf Sprint on Breeders’ Cup Day behind repeat winner Ocho Ocho Ocho, who won the Delta jackpot (G3) in his next start. The third place finisher Tizcano also won next out, beating $80,000 optional claimers. He is out of the stakes placed mare Spinning Yarns ($189,416).
Stand and Salute is one of three in here sent out by the Jerry Hollendorfer barn. The colt finished up well after getting taken out wide on the far turn, beaten two lengths for the top spot. Hollendorfer and jockey Russell Baze have teamed up to win this race five times including last year with Tamarando.
The colt won the Gold Rush two back which was his first start against winners. A better trip today and he can be right in the mix, and the 6-1 morning line looks fair enough although it may end up lighter considering the connections.
Wagering:
WIN: Conquest Typhoon to win at 5-2 or better.
EXACTA: 3,9 / 2,3,8,9
TRIFECTA: 3,9 / 2,3,8,9 / 2,3,8,9,10
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