ALBANY, Calif. – Favored Azul Coast ($4.60) accomplished a lot in his third career start in winning the $101,800 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields. With his second career victory in three starts, he earned a spot in the Preakness as part of a win-and-you're-in promotion, added 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the four he already had for his second-place finish in the Grade 3 Sham, and increased his career bankroll to $104,000. :: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee The Super Saver colt got a perfect trip under Rafael Bejarano as he held off the fast-finishing American Farmer, who was last after six furlongs, to win the 1 1/8-mile race by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:51.58. Second choice Indian Peak, who briefly headed Azul Coast in the stretch, was third, another half-length back. “I had a beautiful trip,” said winning jockey Rafael Bejarano. “I expected to have this kind of trip.” Noting that Azul Coast doesn't like to be between horses, Bejarano kept him wide, outside Ajourneytofreedom. The colt relaxed and sat in a good contending spot as Czechmight, who was making his first start since an Oct. 13 maiden win at Keeneland, set the pace. As the field tightened turning into the stretch, Azul Coast was three wide with Czechmight and Sacred Rider, who had been sitting in second to the lane, beginning to fade a bit. Indian Peak, moving in the four path, had a head advantage, but Bejarano had plenty of horse left for the stretch run. “He was comfortable all the way, and, when I asked him, he finished strong,” said Bejarano. Although Azul Coast always looked a winner, the Steve Sherman-trained American Farmer made an impressive run to be second. “He absolutely flew home,” said his jockey Kent Desormeaux. “Steve has a serious horse here, and I want to ride him again.” Sherman was pleased with his colt's second-place finish, which earned owners BKB Stables and Sherman $20,000. “I knew distance wouldn't be a problem,” said Sherman. “He's still green and still learning, but he ran a great second.” Sherman also saddled the winner for the Southern California-based Bob Baffert. Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Azul Coast was a $320,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase in 2018. After winning at first asking on Dec. 8, he was second to undefeated stablemate Authentic in the Sham. The colt may only be the fourth- or fifth-best 3-year-old in Baffert's barn, but, Pegram said, “I've made a lot of money being the other Baffert horse.” He said he's been pleased by Azul Coast's progress, adding “I just hope he keeps on progressing.” From Santa Anita, Baffert said the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park on March 22 may be Azul Coast's next assignment.