The Kentucky Derby trail makes its only visit to Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, February 11 for the El Camino Real Derby! At stake in the nine-furlong Tapeta race are a $100,000 purse, 10-4-3-2-1 Road to the Kentucky Derby points for the top five finishers, and an automatic berth to the Preakness Stakes for the winner.
There is a strong tradition of the El Camino Real Derby making an impact on the Preakness. In 2021, Rombauer parlayed a victory in Golden Gate’s feature race into victory in Baltimore. Tank’s Prospect (1985), Snow Chief (1986), and Tabasco Cat (1994) all swept that double as well, with Tabasco Cat going on to win the Preakness as well.
Who will add their name to this list in 2023? Read on to find out!
2023 El Camino Real Derby Contenders
These are the likely contenders for the 2023 El Camino Real Derby including their trainers:
- Chase the Chaos (Ed Moger, Jr.)
- De La Luna (Quinn Howey)
- GIlmore (Bob Baffert)
- Happy Does (Felix Rondan)
- Harcyn (Steve Sherman)
- Mother’s Prayer (Steven Specht)
- Nullarbor (Bob Baffert)
- Passarando (Steven Specht)
- Sea Dog (O. J. Jauregui)
- Thirsty John (Peter Miller)
Closer to the race jockeys, post positions, and morning lines will be assigned. Keep in mind that the morning line is only the track handicapper’s best estimate of the odds; real odds at the racetrack will fluctuate until post time.
Your best bet is to wager on horse races at an online sportsbook! Many online sportsbooks offer fixed-odds betting on major races: that way, you are able to lock in your odds as soon as you see an overlay on a horse who can win the race. Make sure to watch the odds as the race gets closer, and place your bet when you like the price!
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilmore | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Passarando | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Thirsty John | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Chase the Chaos | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Nullarbor | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Happy Does | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Harcyn | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Betting the El Camino Real Derby Online
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El Camino Real Derby Handicapping
Now that you have your account at the online racebook that suits you best, it is time to handicap the El Camino Real Derby!
El Camino Real Derby Favorites
Passarando looks strong coming into the El Camino Real. Though he was defeated downstate in the Cal Cup Derby last out, he returns to his best surface for this. His versatility means he can get a good trip off the pace behind a lot of speed but not be left with too much to do, and he is nicely bred for the stretch out to nine furlongs.
Trainer Bob Baffert has won two of the last three editions of this race, meaning it makes sense to look at his horses. Gilmore is the significantly more appealing of his two entrants, given that he woke up nicely the first time he tried two turns, and did so from off the pace in a maiden special weight. Nullarbor had to drop for a tag to graduate and will be one of several speeds.
Take a shot against Peter Miller trainee Thirsty John. Miller may be a big name in Southern California but he has never won this race. Thirsty John should be part of a lively speed brigade, meaning he will not have things easily, and his pedigree suits better for dirt than the Tapeta.
El Camino Real Exotic Horses
Chase the Chaos is coming into the right form. His midpack style should get a good trip in this race, with all of the speed that should unfold in front of him. He comes off of a dazzling allowance victory last out going a mile at Golden Gate, and ran a strong second to Passarando in the Gold Rush despite being dismissed at 65-1 that day. Expect him to run on well in the lane.
Happy Does was the well-beaten second in Chase the Chaos’s last-out win, but has raced once since and cleared off his first-level allowance condition in game fashion. He is versatile enough to carve out a good trip from off the pace, and though he needs a step forward to be a win candidate, he is a consistent and logical exotics chance.
Though Harcyn will not have it easy as part of the speed, he has strong upside in the El Camino Real. He stretches out to two turns for the first time: something that should suit his pedigree excellently, as he is by Goldencents out of a Street Cry half to Giacomo and Tiago. This gives him a strong chance to step forward with the extra distance.
El Camino Real Derby Best Bets
Here are your best bets for the 2023 El Camino Real Derby!
- $20 to win - Passarando
- $1 exacta key - Passarando with Chase the Chaos, Gilmore
- $0.50 trifecta key - Passarando with Chase the Chaos, Gilmore, Happy Does
- $0.20 superfecta key - Passarando with Chase the Chaos, Gilmore, Happy Does, Harcyn
