El Camino Real Derby (G3) and California Derby winner CAUSE TO BELIEVE
(Maria’s Mon) will make his final prep for the Kentucky Derby (G1) in Saturday’s
$500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne Race Course. Trained by Northern
California kingpin Jerry Hollendorfer, the gray colt is the 5-2 favorite on the
morning line over nine rivals in the 1 1/8-mile event. Russell Baze, the second
leading jockey by wins in Thoroughbred racing history, will be in to ride.
Cause to Believe, a five-time stakes winner who has never finished worse than
second in nine career starts, will make his first start outside of California on
Saturday. He recorded a four-length score in the California Derby last out and
defeated eventual San Felipe S. (G2) victor A.P. Warrior (A.P. Indy) when taking
the El Camino Real Derby in late January. His competition includes
SWEETNORTHERNSAINT (Sweetsouthernsaint), MY GOLDEN SONG (Unbridled’s Song) and
RACKETEER (Awesome Again).
Sweetnorthernsaint, a 10-length winner of the Miracle Wood S. two back, exits
a close third in the Gotham S. (G3) in which his chances were likely compromised
by a wide trip from post 10 on Aqueduct’s inner track. However, trainer Michael
Trombetta didn’t receive much relief at the Illinois Derby draw when getting
gate 10 with the 4-1 second choice. My Golden Song will ship in from Florida for
Todd Pletcher off a close fourth in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and finished third
in the Holy Bull S. (G3) two back. Racketeer, who invades for Bobby Frankel,
just missed third by a nose when making his stakes bow in the San Felipe last
out.
Lane’s End S. (G2) third placer MALAMEEZE (Saint Ballado) will lead the post
parade with jockey John McKee and is listed at 8-1 on the morning line. Next
comes CREATIVE FORCE (Red Ransom), Eddie Perez, 30-1; ITSALLBOUTTHECHASE (Devil
His Due), Chris Emigh, 12-1; LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy), Roberto Alvarado, 20-1;
DEVILOFARUSH (Wild Rush), Eddie Baird, 30-1; MISTER TRIESTER (Old Trieste),
Brice Blanc, 8-1; Cause to Believe; Racketeer, Pat Valenzuela, 5-1; My Golden
Song, Chris DeCarlo, 5-1; and Sweetnorthernsaint, Kent Desormeaux.