Comma to the Top eyes El Camino Real Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Comma to the Top, who has emerged as the leading 3-year-old in California in the last two months, is likely to make his next start in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 12.

Trainer Peter Miller said Thursday that the El Camino Real Derby over 1 1/8 miles on Golden Gate’s synthetic Tapeta Footings surface is preferred to the $250,000 Robert Lewis Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on a dirt track at Santa Anita the same day.

“At this point, we’re leaning toward Golden Gate,” Miller said. “We know he likes that track.”

Comma to the Top has won 6 of 10 starts and $551,600, including his last five races. A former maiden claimer, Comma to the Top won two six-furlong races at Golden Gate Fields in October – a starter allowance and an allowance race – and three stakes at Hollywood Park in the fall – the Real Quiet Stakes, Grade 3 Generous Stakes, and Grade 1 CashCall Futurity on Dec. 18.

On Thursday at Hollywood Park, Comma to the Top worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds, the fastest of eight recorded works at the distance. Jockey Corey Nakatani, who rode Comma to the Top in his three Hollywood Park wins, was aboard for the workout.

Miller timed Comma to the Top in 23.40 seconds for the final quarter-mile and in 1:12.40, galloping out through six furlongs.

Miller plans a three-race campaign leading to the Kentucky Derby for Comma to the Top, but plans beyond February have not been finalized.