Positive Response Wins California Derby

Local favorite Positive Response took the lead on the turn for home and went on to capture Saturday's $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields. The three-year-old covered the 1 1/16-miles in 1:44.56 on the track's synthetic surface.

Sent off as the 7-5 post-time favorite, Positive Response was racing just a handful of lengths off the lead in the early going. Setting the pace was Northern Indy followed closely by Jakesam, Dancing At Dark and The Great Caper in the 12 horse field.

With a half-mile to go, Jakesam had the lead with Northern Indy back in second and Positive Response moving into third on the outside. The favorite, ridden by Julien Couton, quickly assumed the lead around the final turn with Jakesam right behind.

Coming into the stretch, Couton shook up his mount to begin opening his advantage. Positive Response moved away from his rivals and hit the wire 2 3/4-lengths ahead of second-place finisher Jakesam.