The El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), with a purse increase of $50,000 to $200,000 in 2011, tops the stakes schedule for the upcoming winter/spring meet at Golden Gate Fields.
The 104-day stand at the Albany, Calif., track begins Dec. 26 and runs to June 12.
The El Camino Real is Northern California's major stakes fixture for 3-year-olds. Contested at 1 1/8 miles on Golden Gate's Tapeta racing surface, it is scheduled for Feb. 21.
There are 10 stakes scheduled during the meet. The other graded events on the schedule are the $150,000 San Francisco Mile (gr. IIT) for older horses on the turf April 30, and the $100,000 Berkeley Stakes (gr. III) for older horses on the main track at 1 1/16 miles May 30.
Also getting a purse increase is the California Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile Jan. 1, which goes from $75,000 to $100,000 this year.
Other highlights are the $100,000 California Derby Jan. 15, the $75,000 Golden Poppy April 16, and the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes May 14.
Golden Gate Fields
Anne M. Eberhardt