The El Camino Real Derby is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race held in February at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, California. The race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on Tapeta, a synthetic racing surface.
Northern California's premier Kentucky Derby prep, the El Camino Real Derby was first run in 1982. It was hosted by Bay Meadows racetrack until its closing in August 2008.
Originally a Grade III race, the event was downgraded in 2018 to listed status. It was part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but no longer so for the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
Records Stakes Record: 1:39.40 – Ruhlmann (1988)
Most wins by a jockey: 9 – Russell Baze (1984, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)
Most wins by a trainer: 6 – Jerry Hollendorfer (1998, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2014)
Most wins by an owner: 2 – Jenny Craig (2002, 2009)
Winners of the El Camino Real Derby since 1982 Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner (Miles) Time Grade 2024Endlessly Umperto RispoliMichael W. McCarthyAmerman Racing LLC1-1/81:50.68Listed 2023Chase the ChaosArmando AyusoEd Moger Jr.Bill Dory & Adam Ference 1-1/81:51.68Listed 2022BlackadderEdwin MaldonadoBob BaffertSF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, & Madaket Stables1-1/81:50.34Listed2021RombauerKyle FreyMichael W. McCarthyJohn & Diane Fradkin1-1/81:51.64Listed2020Azul CoastRafael BejaranoBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram1-1/81:51.58Listed2019 Anothertwistafate Juan J. Hernandez Blaine Wright Peter Redekop1-1/81:50.38 Listed2018Paved †Drayden Van DykeMichael W. McCarthyCiaglia Racing & Eclipse Thoroughbred1-1/81:50.04Listed2017 Zakaroff Kyle Frey Stephen Specht Antone Melaxas1-1/81:51.34 III2016 Frank Conversation Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing1-1/81:50.64 III2015 Metaboss Alex O. Solis Jeffrey L. Bonde M. J. Arndt, Milan McFetridge, Daniel Preiss, Mersad Metanovic, Azcarate & MRS Stables1-1/81:49.92 III2014 Tamarando Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams1-1/81:51.23 III2013 Dice Flavor Jose Valdivia Jr. Patrick Gallagher Oda Racing Stables and US Equine1-1/81:51.45 III2012 Daddy Nose Best Julien Leparoux Steven M. Asmussen Bob & Cathy Zollars1-1/81:50.46 III2011 Silver Medallion Russell Baze Steven M. Asmussen Michael J. Ryan1-1/81:50.45 III2010 Connemara Russell Baze Todd A. Pletcher Michael Tabor1-1/81:51.26 III2009 Chocolate Candy Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Sidney Craig & Jenny Craig1-1/81:50.54 III2008 Autism Awareness Luis Contreras Genaro Vallejo Johnny Taboada1-1/161:43.17 III2007 Bwana Bull Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Mark DeDomenico et al.1-1/161:43.22 III2006 Cause to Believe Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Peter Redekop/Peter Abruzzo1-1/161:41.81 III2005 Uncle Denny Russell Baze Rafael Becerra Stanley E. Fulton1-1/161:42.22 III2004 Kilgowan Chance Rollins Lonnie Arterburn Terrence & Noreen O'Neill1-1/161:43.87 III2003 Ocean Terrace Mike E. Smith Robert Hess Jr. David Shimmon1-1/161:42.26 III2002 Yougottawanna Jason Lumpkins Jerry Hollendorfer S Craig, Jenny Craig & Ted Aroney1-1/161:43.48 III2001 Hoovergetthekeys Ron Warren Brian Koriner Carl Odegaard1-1/161:40.85 III2000 Remember Sheikh Frank Alvarado Lonnie Arterburn J. Peppard / S. Smith1-1/161:43.47 III1999 Cliquot David R. Flores John Shirreffs 505 Farms1-1/161:43.29 III1998 Event of the Year Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Golden Eagle Farm1-1/161:40.27 III1997 Pacificbounty Kent Desormeaux Walter Greenman Grey, Harris et al.1-1/161:41.85 III1996 Cavonnier Martin Pedroza Bob Baffert Walter Family Trust1-1/161:43.40 III1995 Jumron Goncalino Almeida Gary Lewis Charles Dunn1-1/161:43.73 III1994 Tabasco Cat Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm/D. Reynolds1-1/161:42.78 III1993 El Atroz Rafael Meza Jose Silva Cuadra Tyt1-1/161:43.77 III1992 Casual Lies Alan Patterson Shelley L. Riley Shelley L. Riley1-1/161:42.00 III1991 Sea Cadet Tom Chapman Ron McAnally V.H.W. Stables (lessee)1-1/161:40.60 III1990 Silver Ending Gary Stevens Ron McAnally Costanza & McAnally1-1/161:43.00 III1989 Double Quick Alex Solis Melvin F. Stute King III & McGaughey1-1/161:43.60 III1988 Ruhlmann Pat Day Robert J. Frankel Ann & Jerry Moss1-1/161:39.40 III1987 Masterful Advocate Laffit Pincay Jr. Joseph Manzi Belles (Lessee) & Leveton1-1/161:42.40 III1986 Snow Chief Alex Solis Melvin F. Stute Grinstead & Rochelle1-1/161:42.60 III1985 Tank's Prospect Jorge Velásquez D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein1-1/161:41.00 III1984 French Russell Baze David Hofmans David V. Ringler1-1/161:42.401983 Knightly Rapport Fernando Toro Joseph Manzi Cotroneo/Leveton/Manzi1-1/161:44.801982 Cassaleria Darrel McHargue Ron McAnally J. Brady et al.1-1/161:42.80
† filly
See also Road to the Kentucky Derby
References
February 21, 1990 New York Times article on the creation of the Preview Stakes The Holy Bull Stakes at Pedigree Query History of the El Camino Real Derby (PDF) The El Camino Real Derby at Pedigree Query