California Derby has seven going to post

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Berkeley, CA (Sports Network) - Seven 3-year-olds have been entered for Saturday's $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields. The 1 1/16-mile race leads to next month's 1 1/8-mile El Camino Real Derby.

Topping the entries is Gold Rush Stakes winner Zeewat. The colt, trained and co-owned by Hall of Fame member Jerry Hollendorfer, will start from post three with Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze riding.

Zeewat won the one-mile Gold Rush Stakes by 3 1/4-lengths on Dec. 8 for his third win in five starts. He earlier won the Cavonnier Juvenile at Santa Rosa during the summer. The colt was fourth to Merit Man in the Tim Conway Stakes at Santa Anita in October and third in Golden Gate's Golden Nugget in November.

Zeewat has earned $117,700 to begin 2013.

Hollendorfer trained Chocolate Candy (2009) and Bwana Bull (2007) as each pulled off wins in the El Camino Real and California Derby. His victory with Pike Place Dancer in the 1996 California Derby was the first time a filly won the race since Miz Clementine in 1954.

Condiment, second in the Gold Rush Stakes, has drawn post two with Julien Couton getting the riding assignment. The chestnut gelding is trained by Joe Brook, who also co-owns the horse.

Condiment has been a rival of Zeewat's ever since he finished as the runner-up in the Cavonnier Juvenile on Aug. 12. The gelding was placed first in a maiden race at Stockton on Sept. 27 and was again second in a Fresno stakes on Oct. 6. Back at Golden Gate on Nov.9, he finished fifth in an allowance optional claiming race.

In six starts, Condiment has earned $62,206.

From the rail out here is the field for the Cal Derby: Will True Up, Francisco Duran; Condiment, Julien Couton; Zeewat, Russell Baze; Wildcat Moon, Kyle Frey; Tree of Life, Dennis Carr; Butterfly Soul, Abel Cedillo and My Best Bet, Frank Alvarado.

The Cal Derby has an approximate post-time of 5:15 p.m. (ET).