SILVER MEDALLION WINS THE EL CAMINO REAL DERBY!

Silver Medallion pulled off a 6-1 upset in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields, rallying strongly on the outside to win by a decisive length.

Ridden by Russell Baze, Silver Medallion sat well off the early pace set by Jakesam. Heavily favored Comma to the Top was racing along in second. Longshot Formula Gold was racing in third, with Silver Medallion fourth, Positive Response fifth, and Bluegrass Reward last. The early fractions were moderate, with Jakesam leading the way by three lengths through a quarter in :23.84 and a half in :48.09. Jakesam began to come back to the rest of the field after running three-quarters in 1:12.35. Comma to the Top was making a strong run to take the lead, but Silver Medallion was mounting a charge on the outside.

Into the homestretch they came, with Comma to the Top floating Silver Medallion wide. But the latter wasn't fazed and charged relentlessly in the stretch. Jakesame proved game in the final eighth of a mile, but Silver Medallion proved too good, drawing off late to win the race.

Jakesam finished second over the late-rallying Positive Response. Comma to the Top finished a disappointing fourth. The final time was 1:50.45.

For jockey Russell Baze, it was his third consecutive win in the El Camino Real Derby, and his eighth overall. Steve Asmussen trains the winner, who is owned by Michael J. Ryan.

-Keelerman