Typhoon’ Hits Bay Area: El Camino Real Derby Preview

Multiple graded winner Conquest Typhoon (Stormy Atlantic)–a 2014 Sovereign Award finalist for champion 2-year-old male–will square off against nine rivals in an intriguing renewal of the GIII El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate. 

A runaway winner of Woodbine’s GII Summer S. last September, the Conquest Stables’ colorbearer followed a respectable fourth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita with a well-timed last-to-first win in Del Mar’s grassy GIII Cecil B. DeMille S. most recently Nov. 30. The $330,000 KEESEP yearling purchase finished second in his two prior attempts on synthetic over Woodbine’s Polytrack–the Clarendon S. July 12 and GIII Grey S. Oct. 5. Conquest Typhoon has put together a sparkling worktab at Mark Casse’s Santa Anita base for his sophomore debut, including a swift five furlongs in :59 4/5 (5/64) Feb. 7. He is the slight favorite at 7-2 on the morning-line. 

Team Valor International will be represented by 4-1 second choice Indianaughty (Indian Charlie). An impressive maiden winner for owner Giuliano Manfredini and trainer Marco Botti traveling seven furlongs over Lingfield’s all-weather Aug. 12, the dark bay showed some grit while narrowly annexing a $75,000 optional tagger going 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream lawn in his debut for these connections Jan. 14. 

Mischief Clem (Papa Clem), last seen posting a game decision in the California Cup Derby at Santa Anita Jan. 24, is drawn widest of all in post 10. He ran well in his two previous attempts over Del Mar’s Polytrack, including a runaway debut win in September. 

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer will be represented by a trio of runners, including California Derby one-three Cross the Line (Line of David) and Stand and Salute (Saint Anddan). He will also saddle longshot Harmonic (Congrats), a maiden winner over track and trip Jan. 16.