The California Derby was a race for Thoroughbred horses held early in the year at Golden Gate Fields until the track's closure on June 9, 2024. An ungraded stakes, it was open to three-year-olds at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on a Tapeta surface. The Derby last offered a purse of $100,000.
In a March 29, 1898 column, the Daily Racing Form wrote that the California Derby was one of the most important races in California and the most important for three-year-old horse.
Northern California's first major test for horses hoping to run for the Triple Crown, the California Derby was also the main local prep race for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby also run at Golden Gate.
The California Derby had been run since 1873. At that time it was set at twelve furlongs or a mile and a half and was won by Camilla Urso. Mollie McCarty won the 1876 edition and in 1909, African-American jockey James Lee won the race aboard High Private, yet Joe Madden, who ran second to High Private, won the 1909 Belmont Stakes. Royal Orbit, who ran third in the California Derby, won the 1959 Preakness Stakes. The 1996 winner, Pike Place Dancer won the Kentucky Oaks.
Winners of the California Derby since 1991 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time2023 Prince Abu Dhabi3 Alexander Chavez Blaine D. Wright Lance & Steve Kinross 1:44.912022 Il Bellator3 Alejandro Gomez Jose Bautista Edward & Theresa DeNike 1:44.272021 Stalking Shadow3 Evin Roman Jonathan Wong Tommy Town Thoroughbreds 1:45.222020 No Race- No Race No Race No Race0:00.002019 Kingly3 Mario Gutierrez Bob Baffert Clearview Stable LLC1:42.732018 Choo Choo3 Juan J. Hernandez Jerry Hollendorfer Calumet Farm1:44.502017 So Conflated3 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing 1:44.712016 Frank Conversation3 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing 1:43.372015 Cross the Line3 Juan J. Hernandez Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer/Todaro, Live Your Dream Racing et al.1:44.792014 Exit Stage Left3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer/Dedomenico1:44.072013 Zeewat3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer/Todaro1:46.502012 Russian Greek3 Aaron Gryder Jerry Hollendorfer Olympia Star, Inc.1:45.072011 Positive Response3 Julien Couton William E. Morey Gevertz/Morey/Newman/Pagano1:44.562010 Ranger Heartley3 Julio Garcia John W. Sadler David Alpert/Herb Alpert1:45.40 2009 Chocolate Candy3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Craig Family Trust1:43.982008 Yankee Bravo3 Alex Solis Patrick Gallagher Harlequin Ranches et al.1:44.572007 Bwana Bull3 David Lopez Jerry Hollendorfer Mark De Domenico et al.1:44.702006 Cause to Believe3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Peter Redekop/Peter Abruzzo1:41.072005 No Race- No Race No Race No Race0:00.002004 Trieste's Honor3 Russell Baze Mike Puype Cobra Farm1:47.952003 Mr. Technique3 Roberto M. Gonzalez Jeffrey L. Bonde James Vreeland1:47.652002 Tracemark3 Jason Lumpkins Craig Dollase Edward T. McGrath1:47.932001 Takin It Deep3 Jose Arriaga Gil Matos M. A. Douzas1:49.252000 Bet On Red3 Ron Warren Jr. Brent Sumja James Egide/Barry Thiriot1:48.001999 Red Sky's3 Russell Baze Jeffrey L. Bonde Barton D. Heller1:47.161998 Prime Meridian3 Rafael Meza Brent Surnja Kenwood Racing1:48.641997 I'm a Jewel3 Agapito Delgadillo William Delia Will.Delia & E.Garrison1:52.551996 Pike Place Dancer3 Corey Nakatani Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer & Todaro1.50.331995 Fine n' Majestic 3 Eddie Delahoussaye Bill Shoemaker Bienstock & Papiano1:42.491994 Screaming Don3 Adalberto Lopez Lanny Sharp Heim, Said & Sharp1:48.311993 Denmars Dream3 Alex Solis Ian Jory Terry Dennis Deering1:49.961992 Treekster3 Gary Boulanger Vladimir Cerin Mary Ann Racing Stable1:48.191991 Green Alligator3 Corey Nakatani Murray Johnson Anderson Fowler1:47.90
Winners before 1991 1990 - Stalwart Charger 1989 - Endow 1988 - All Thee Power 1987 - Simply Majestic 1986 - Vernon Castle 1985 - Hajjis Treasure 1984 - Distant Ryder 1983 - Paris Prince 1982 - Rockwall 1981 - Always a Cinch 1980 - Jaklin Klugman 1979 - Beau's Eagle 1978 - Noble Bronze 1977 - Cuzwuzwrong 1976 - Telly's Pop 1975 - Diabolo 1974 - Agitate 1973 - Linda's Chief 1972 - Quack 1971 - Unconscious 1970 - George Lewis 1969 - Jay Ray 1968 - Proper Proof 1967 - Reason to Hail 1966 - Tragniew 1965 - Perfect Sky 1964 - Real Good Deal 1963 - On My Honor 1962 - Doc Jocoy 1961 - Mr. Consistency 1960 - Noble Noor 1959 - Finnegan 1958 - Nice Guy 1957 - NOT RUN 1956 - No Regrets 1955 - Trackmaster 1954 - Miz Clementine 1949 - 1953 - NOT RUN 1948 - May Reward 1947 - NOT RUN 1946 - War Spun 1945 - NOT RUN 1944 - Jade Boy 1942 & 1943 - NOT RUN 1941 - Pirate 1939 & 1940 - NOT RUN 1938 - Grim Reaper 1937 - Rockwood 1936 - Lloyd Pan 1935 - Toro Flight 1923 - Victoire 1910 - Turrets 1909 - High Private 1908 - Meelick 1907 - Temaceo 1906 - Good Luck 1905 - Dr Leggo 1904 - Bombardier 1903 - Claude 1902 - Sombrero 1901 - Joe Frey 1900 - NOT RUN 1899 - Corsini 1898 - Traverser 1897 - Scarborough 1890 - Muta 1889 - Hotspur 1888 - Peel 1887 - Jim Duffy 1886 - May Blossom 1885 - Ned Cook 1884 - Phillip S 1883 - Augusta E 1882 - Duke of Monday 1881 - Jim Douglas 1880 - Sally Black 1879 - Sister Anne 1878 - Mark L 1877 - Lena Dunbar 1876 - Mollie McCarty 1875 - Bradley 1874 - NOT RUN 1873 - Camilla Urso
References
The California Derby at Pedigree Derby