Jerry Hollendorfer shoots for his seventh career win in Saturday's GIII El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate, which offers 17 points on the road to the GI Kentucky Derby.
The Hall of Fame trainer will saddle 7-5 morning-line favorite Sheer Flattery (Flatter), who returns on short notice after finishing third as the chalk in Santa Anita's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Feb. 4. The chestnut previously graduated by a nose in his two-turn debut in the Santa Anita slop Dec. 31. Sheer Flattery turned in a four-furlong breeze in :50 1/5 (3/12) at Golden Gate Feb. 14 in preparation of his first attempt over an all-weather surface.
Hollendorfer's El Camino Real Derby winners include: Tamarando (2014), Chocolate Candy (2009), Bwana Bull (2007), Cause to Believe (2006), Yougottawanna (2002) and Event of the Year (1998).
Reddam Racing and trainer Doug O'Neill look for their second straight score in the El Camino Real Derby off the heels of Frank Conversation (Quality Road)'s popular tally in the 2016 renewal. Ann Arbor Eddie (Square Eddie) will carry Reddam's purple-and-white silks riding a two-race winning streak, headed by a tally in Santa Anita's California Cup Derby Jan. 28. Like Sheer Flattery, Ann Arbor Eddie will also be making his synthetic debut here. The Reddam-O'Neill tandem was responsible for last month's California Derby at Golden Gate with So Conflated (Eskendereya).
More Power to Him (Slew's Tiznow), runner-up after leading in the stretch of the California Derby Jan. 21, leads the way for the local hopefuls.
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