Situated in Albany in the state of California is Golden Gates Field Racecourse which first held a race meeting in 1941; the inaugural meeting taking place on 1st February 1941. The feature races in those early days were the Pacific Handicap, Golden Poppy Handicap and Golden Rush Stakes. It closed during the atrocities of World War II, reopening in 1947. The 8 furlong dirt course, with a 305 metre home straight, celebrated its Silver Anniversary in 1966. In 1971 a 7 furlong turf track was added, while today there are also 6 furlong and 10 furlong chutes. Of late its principal races are the Group 2 San Francisco Breeder's Mile, the Group 3 Golden Gate Derby which is also known as the California Derby, and the California Oaks. The Breeder's Cup Mile was first run in 1948 when Prevaricator was successful. Battle Dance gained back to back wins in 1957 and 58. The race was run at Bay Meadows in 2005 and was cancelled in 2008. The California Derby is run over 8 1/2 furlongs for 3 year olds. Buzzards Bay was successful in 2005 when ridden by Mark Gundry. Arguably its most eagerly anticipated race is the El Camino Real Derby over 9 furlongs which was first held in 1982.
El Camino Real Derby winners since its inception in 1982
1982 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Cassaleria trained by Ron McAnally and ridden by Darrel McHargue
1983 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Knightly Rapport trained by Joseph Manzi and ridden by Fernando Toro
1984 The El Camino Real Derby was won by French Legionaire trained by David Hofmans and ridden by Russell Baze
1985 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Tanks Prospect trained by D Wayne Lukas and ridden by Jorge Velasquez
1986 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Snow Chief trained by Melvin Stute and ridden by Alex Solis
1987 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Masterful Advocate trained by Joseph Manzi and ridden by Laffit Pincay jnr
1988 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Ruhlmann trained by Robert Frankel and ridden by Pat Day
1989 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Double Quick trained by Melvin Stute and ridden by Alex Solis
1990 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Silver Ending trained by Ron McAnally and ridden by Gary Stevens
1991 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Sea Cadet trained by Ron McAnally and ridden by Tom Chapman
1992 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Casual Lies trained by Shelley Riley and ridden by Alan Patterson
1993 The El Camino Real Derby was won by El Atroz trained by Jose Silva and ridden by Rafael Meza
1994 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Tabasco Cat trained by D Wayne Lukas and ridden by Pat Day
1995 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Jumron trained by Gary Lewis and ridden by Goncalino Almeida
1996 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Cavonnier trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Pedroza
1997 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Pacificbounty trained by Walter Greenman and ridden by Kent Desormeux
1998 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Event of the Year trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze
1999 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Cliquot trained by John Shirreffs and ridden by David Flores
2000 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Remember Sheikh trained by Lonnie Arterburn and ridden by Frank Alvarado
2001 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Hoovergetthekeys trained by Brian Koriner and ridden by Ron Warren
2002 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Yougottawanna trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Jason Lumpkins
2003 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Ocean Terrace trained by Robert Hess jnr and ridden by Mike E Smith
2004 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Kilgowan trained by Lonnie Arterburn and ridden by Chance Rollins
2005 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Uncle Denny trained by Rafael Becerra and ridden by Russell Baze
2006 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Cause to Believe trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze
2007 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Bwana Bull trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze
2008 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Autism Awareness trained by Genaro Vallejo and ridden by Luis Contreras
2009 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Chocolate Candy trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze
2010 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Connemara trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Russell Baze
2011 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Silver Medallion trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Russell Baze
2012 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Daddy Nose Best trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Julien Leparoux
2013 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Dice Flavor trained by Patrick Gallagher and ridden by Jose Valdivia jnr
2014 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Tamarando trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze
2015 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Metaboss trained by Jeff Bonde and ridden by Alex Solis
2016 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Frank Conversation trained by Doug ONeill and ridden by Mario Gutierrez
2017 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Zakaroff trained by Stephen Specht and ridden by Kyle Frey
2018 The El Camino Real Derby was won by Paved trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Drayden Van Dyke
