CashCall Futurity (gr. I) winner Comma to the Top, on a five-race winning streak, heads a list of 16 3-year-olds nominated to the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 12.
Trained by Peter Miller for owners Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Kevin Tsujihara, Comma to the Top is expected to begin his 3-year-old campaign in the 1 1/8-mile El Camino Real on Golden Gate's Tapeta racing surface. Corey Nakatani has been named to ride the speedy Florida-bred gelding by Bwana Charlie--Maggies Storm, by Stormy Atlantic .
Comma to the Top was recently weighted at 121 pounds in the 2010 Experimental Free Handicap by The Jockey Club following a season in which he won six of 10 starts and earned $551,600. In addition to winning the CashCall Futurity, he has also captured the Generous Stakes (gr. IIIT) on turf and the Real Quiet Stakes.
Also expected to start is recent California Derby winner Positive Response, to be ridden by Julien Couton for trainer William E. Morey. Others that are confirmed, according to the track, are Bluegrass Reward (Juan Hernandez rides), Formula Gold (Hector Romero), Jakesam (Frank Alvarado), and Silver Medallion (Russell Baze).
Jakesam, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, and Bluegrass Reward, from the Steve Miyadi stable, were second in third, respectively, in the Jan. 15 California Derby. Silver Medallion won the Eddie Logan Stakes on the Santa Anita turf in his last start Dec. 31 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Other leading nominees are Anthony's Cross , third in Santa Anita's Sham Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 15; California Oaks-winning filly Lilacs and Lace; and California Breeders' Championship Stakes victor Thirtyfirststreet.
Bob Baffert has nominated Classic Legacy and Wegner. The others are Irish-bred Moment of Weakness, Northern Indy , Offlee Wild Boys, Ten Devils, and Twice the Appeal.
