California Derby

Last updated
California Derby
Ungraded race
Location Golden Gate Fields
Berkeley, California
Inaugurated1876
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website www.goldengatefields.com
Race information
Distance1 1/16 Miles (8.5 Furlongs)
TrackSynthetic, left-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
WeightAssigned
Purse$100,000

The California Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses held early in the year at Golden Gate Fields. An ungraded stakes, it is open to three-year-olds at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on a Tapeta surface. The Derby offers a purse of $100,000.

Contents

Northern California's first major test for horses hoping to run for the Triple Crown, the California Derby is also the main local prep race for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby also run at Golden Gate.

The California Derby has 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. Royal Orbit, who ran third in the California Derby, won the 1959 Preakness, and in 1909 Joe Madden, who ran second in the California Derby to High Private, won the Belmont Stakes. The 1996 winner, Pike Place Dancer won the Kentucky Oaks.

Winners of the California Derby since 1991

Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Time
2022Il Bellator3Alejandro GomezJose BautistaEdward & Theresa DeNike1:44.27
2021Stalking Shadow3Evin RomanJonathan WongTommy Town Thoroughbreds1:45.22
2020No Race-No RaceNo RaceNo Race0:00.00
2019Kingly3 Mario Gutierrez Bob Baffert Clearview Stable LLC1:42.73
2018Choo Choo3Juan J. Hernandez Jerry Hollendorfer Calumet Farm 1:44.50
2017So Conflated3 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing1:44.71
2016Frank Conversation3 Mario Gutierrez Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing1:43.37
2015 Cross the Line 3Juan J. Hernandez Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer/Todaro,Live Your Dream Racing et al.1:44.79
2014Exit Stage Left3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer/Dedomenico1:44.07
2013Zeewat3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer/Todaro1:46.50
2012Russian Greek3 Aaron Gryder Jerry Hollendorfer Olympia Star, Inc.1:45.07
2011Positive Response3Julien CoutonWilliam E. MoreyGevertz/Morey/
Newman/Pagano
1:44.56
2010Ranger Heartley3Julio Garcia John W. Sadler David Alpert/Herb Alpert 1:45.40
2009Chocolate Candy3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Craig Family Trust 1:43.98
2008Yankee Bravo3 Alex Solis Patrick Gallagher Harlequin Ranches et al.1:44.57
2007Bwana Bull3David Lopez Jerry Hollendorfer Mark De Domenico et al.1:44.70
2006 Cause to Believe 3 Russell Baze Jerry Hollendorfer Peter Redekop/Peter Abruzzo1:41.07
2005No Race-No RaceNo RaceNo Race0:00.00
2004Trieste's Honor3 Russell Baze Mike PuypeCobra Farm1:47.95
2003Mr. Technique3Roberto M. GonzalezJeff BondeJames Vreeland1:47.65
2002Tracemark3Jason LumpkinsCraig DollaseEdward T. McGrath1:47.93
2001Takin It Deep3Jose ArriagaGil MatosM. A. Douzas1:49.25
2000Bet On Red3Ron Warren Jr.Brent SumjaJames Egide/Barry Thiriot1:48.00
1999Red Sky's3 Russell Baze Jeff BondeBarton D. Heller1:47.16
1998Prime Meridian3 Rafael Meza Brent SurnjaKenwood Racing1:48.64
1997I'm a Jewel3Agapito DelgadilloWilliam DeliaWill.Delia & E.Garrison1:52.55
1996Pike Place Dancer3 Corey Nakatani Jerry Hollendorfer Hollendorfer & Todaro1.50.33
1995Fine n' Majestic3 Eddie Delahoussaye Bill Shoemaker Bienstock & Papiano1:42.49
1994Screaming Don3 Adalberto Lopez Lanny SharpHeim, Said & Sharp1:48.31
1993Denmars Dream3 Alex Solis Ian JoryTerry Dennis Deering1:49.96
1992Treekster3 Gary Boulanger Vladimir CerinMary Ann Racing Stable1:48.19
1991Green Alligator3 Corey Nakatani Murray JohnsonAnderson Fowler1:47.90

Winners before 1991

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