Can Vending Machine dispense with rivals in California Derby?

Eight 3-year-olds will find out if they are truly on the Kentucky Derby trail in Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

The field for the 1 1/16-mile race has a mix of horses typical of an early 3-year-old stakes. It includes two stakes winners, one maiden, and a runner whose lone victory came via disqualification. Those who run well are likely to be considered for the Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate on Feb. 18.

Vending Machine is the only runner in the field to have run for a tag – and he’s also the most accomplished. He was claimed for $40,000 in September at Del Mar from his second start by trainer Peter Miller. He enters the race after winning the Eddie Logan Stakes on turf at Santa Anita. Before that, he finished second in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille on the main track at Del Mar.

“He’s sharp as a No. 2 pencil,” said Miller.

Colonel Samsen, trained by Eoin Harty, won last month’s Gold Rush here as the favorite but was beaten 22 3/4 lengths in the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita in his last start. That race was run on a sloppy track.

Colonel Samsen and More Power to Him are the only runners to have won at the California Derby distance of 1 1/16 miles.

CALIFORNIA DERBY (RACE 8)

KEY CONTENDERS

Vending Machine, by Hard Spun

Last 3 Beyers: 80-72-71

◗ He’s shown improvement in each of his last three starts.

◗ His win on turf in the Eddie Logan suggests that he should like the Tapeta synthetic track at Golden Gate.

◗ He’s worked twice since his stakes win, including a six-furlong drill in 1:12.80 that was the second-best of 12 at the distance Jan. 15 at San Luis Rey Downs.

◗ He’s a stalker but could inherit the lead in this paceless race.

Colonel Samsen, by Colonel John

Last 3 Beyers: 56-69-76

◗ Should you draw a line through the last race because of the sloppy track? If you do that, you might get some decent value on a runner who has won a stakes here.

◗ He graduated at this distance on the turf at Del Mar.

More Power to Him, by Slew’s Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 74-65-70

◗ He ran third in the Gold Rush, his stakes debut, behind Colonel Samsen. He’s won his other two starts in routes.

◗ Wound up on the lead in the Gold Rush and could wind up on the lead here.