The El Camino Real Derby Tipsheet

A total of nine sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the All-Weather surface at Golden Gate in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby. The three-year-old contest is part of the “2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby” challenge series, with points going to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

El Camino Real Derby Picks

• #2 Waspirant
• #9 Rombauer
• #5 Petruchio
• #7 Javanica

El Camino Real Derby Wagers

• $10 Win and Place #2 Waspirant
• $3 Exacta Key Box 2 with 5,7,9
• 50-cent Superfecta 2 with 5,7,9 with 5,7,9 with all

El Camino Real Derby Contenders

#1 POSITIVITY has gone unplaced in a pair of recent stakes tries and will make his first run on the synthetic. Paynter colt is a question mark at the distance, and he would be a mild surprise in a strong field. Julien Couton has the call.

#2 WASPIRANT is the upset pick for John Shirreffs. Chestnut son of Union Rags has been outrun in two graded attempts on the dirt, but I am expecting vast improvement on the surface change for the well-bred colt. Pacey sort will always be in the mix beneath Assael Espinoza.

#3 TESORO was taken down after crossing the line in first on the oval while making his debut. Second-timer takes a big class jump on Saturday, and he has to get a lot faster to challenge this cast inside the final furlong. Catalino Martinez picks up the mount.

#4 IT’S MY HOUSE graduated in his second attempt going six furlongs and stretches out to nine panels against a talented field on Saturday. The Florida-bred has some intrigue, but he might be biting off more than he could chew at this stage of his development.

#5 PETRUCHIO has improved his Brisnet Speed figure with each lifetime performance for Mandella. Obvious win contender is proven on both dirt and turf, and the gelded son of Into Mischief would not be a surprise with something resembling his Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) third in his juvenile finale.

#6 PLAY CHICKEN captured the King Glorious S. two prior when adding blinkers for O’Neill. Son of Square Eddie lacks consistency, but he could be a top-four contender if he takes to this oval. Bay will be forwardly placed throughout with Roman in the stirrups.

#7 JAVANICA has been first or second in four straight outings, including three in the stakes ranks. Eoin Harty pupil finished runner-up in her lone run on an All-Weather strip to date, and the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro could be dangerous if she handles the move in facing the boys. Godolphin homebred will rally from off the pace under Frank Alvarado.

#8 GOVENOR’S PARTY beat starter allowance foes in his first with blinkers most recently, but he looks overmatched in this spot.

#9 ROMBAUER flashed considerable potential in his two-year-old campaign for McCarthy. Twirling Candy colt was a game second in the American Pharoah S. (G1) two back, prior to making a belated run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his 2020 finale. Kentucky-bred is training in fine fashion, and he will be moving best of all in the stretch with Frey in the silks.