With the unbeaten Exit Stage Left and Eddie Logan Stakes winner Enterprising among a field of eight, Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields is a legitimate stepping-stone to bigger stakes races for 3-year-olds. The race is at 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta main track.

In his only two starts, Exit Stage Left has won the Golden Nugget and the Gold Rush, both at Golden Gate. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer admits expectations have grown for Exit Stage Left.

“We hope he’ll develop into a really good horse,” Hollendorfer said.

NEW ORLEANS – If 3-year-old Fair Grounds stakes races have taught us anything the last two years, it is this: Don’t forget the longshots.

In the 2013 Risen Star Stakes, Ive Stuck a Nerve beat what turned out to be a strong group at odds of 135-1. In the 2012 Louisiana Derby, it was Hero of Order who pulled a shocker, nipping Mark Valeski at 109-1.

There probably are no 100-1 shots in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte Stakes on Saturday, but with attention focused on likely favorites Albano and Gold Hawk, there will definitely be overlooked entrants.

Trainer Shug McGaughey said he is eyeing a February return for his top Kentucky Derby prospect Honor Code, who will make his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here at Gulfstream Park  on Feb. 22.

McGaughey said Honor Code has done well since arriving at Payson Park shortly after he closed out his 2-year-old campaign with a game victory over Cairo Prince in the Grade 2 Remsen.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby looks as if it will have a small field, according to Golden Gate Fields racing secretary David Jerkens’s early canvas.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled the newest member of his potential Kentucky Derby arsenal, Constitution, here Saturday. Constitution, a son of Tapit, overcame a very slow start to win his debut in game fashion, edging clear near the wire from the more experienced Juba following a furious stretch duel. Despite the tardy beginning, Constitution ran seven furlongs in 1:23.36 and was given a Beyer Speed Figure of 84.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Baratti proved to be a pleasant surprise winning a maiden race here last week for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, who now may have another 3-year-old prospect for the Triple Crown trail.

After finishing fifth in his debut sprinting here in December, the well-bred Baratti recorded a front-running, six-length victory going two turns over Aqueduct’s inner track last Friday. Baratti, a Darley stable homebred son of Medaglia d’Oro, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.97 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The field for the first major Kentucky Derby prep here this winter, the Grade 2 Holy Bull on Jan. 25, is slowly beginning to take shape, with several prospective starters turning in works at Palm Meadows on Sunday.

Leading the group was trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s top 3-year-old prospect, Cairo Prince, who breezed five furlongs in 59.90 seconds in company with stablemate Qeyaas. It was the fourth work for Cairo Prince since his hard-luck second-place finish behind Honor Code in the Grade 2 Remsen on Nov. 30.

Grade 3, $100,000 Sham Stakes; one mile; Santa Anita; Jan. 11.
(10 Derby eligibility points to the winner, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth.)

After two scratches (Top Fortitude and Life Is a Joy) reduced the Sham Stakes to a four-horse field, the one-mile race developed into an entertaining match race between heavily favored Midnight Hawk and second choice Kristo. We learned a lot about both horses.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ride On Curlin, one of the most accomplished 3-year-olds stabled at Oaklawn Park, won his 2014 debut in Sunday’s sixth race and is now being pointed for the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 17, according to trainer William Gowan. The race is Oaklawn’s first major prep for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Shared Belief, the unbeaten winner of the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity and a finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion male 2-year-old, had a scheduled workout for this weekend postponed after suffering a cut to his right front hoof, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Sunday morning at Santa Anita.

The injury, commonly known as a “grabbed quarter,” is minor, said Hollendorfer, who said he decided the prudent approach was to merely wait it out.