BERKELEY, CA – John and Diane Fradkin homebred Rombauer overcame a poor break and rallied last to first for a narrow score in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.
The 6/5 favorite under Kyle Frey, Rombauer was slow to break from the far outside post 9 and immediately spotted pacesetter It’s My House several lengths.
The field’s lone filly Javanica took the lead at the top of the stretch and momentarily looked destined for victory, but the hard-charging Rombauer used a steady stretch run to stick his neck out in the final jumps.
The Michael McCarthy trainee completed the 1 1/8-mile fast synthetic route in 1:51.64.
Javanica was 4 lengths clear of Govenor’s Party in third. It’s My House faded to finish a 1/2-length behind him for fourth.
Waspirant, Petruchio, Tesoro, and Play Chicken completed the order of finish.
Positivity was scratched.
The El Camino Real Derby is part of the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby prep race season. Rombauer earned 10 points for the win, with Javanica receiving 4 for second, Govenor’s Party 2 for third, and It’s My House 1 for fourth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYy-Ao5FjCg
Rombauer’s win was his first since a maiden-breaking debut last July at Del Mar and improved the Twirling Candy colt’s record to 5-2-1-0 with $210,500 earned.
Along with the victory, purse, and Kentucky Derby points, Rombauer earned an automatic berth into the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Rombauer returned $4.40 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.20 to show. Javanica brought back $3 to place and $2.80 to show, while Govenor’s Party paid $15.40 to show.
