Rombauer edges filly Javanica in Ky. Derby prep at Golden Gate

Rombauer needed every step of the El Camino Real Derby’s 1 1/8 miles, edging filly Javanica to win Golden Gate Fields’ $100,000 Kentucky Derby prep.

The win gave Twirling Candy colt Rombauer 10 points toward the 2021 Derby standings. He also earned a berth into the 2021 Preakness Stakes with Saturday’s victory over Golden Gate’s synthetic track.

"I think the key was trying to save ground," Rombauer jockey Kyle Frey told TVG. "I think it was everyone's first time going this time. If I saved ground (trainer Michael McCarthy) said this horse would be willing to do I asked."

Rombauer made his 3-year-old debut in the El Camino Real. Last year at 2, he was second at Santa Anita in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1), then fifth at Keeneland in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Rombauer, breaking from the outside post in the eight-horse field, settled Saturday in the very back of the pack through the early going. Up front, 32-1 long shot It’s My House posted fractions of 24 seconds, 47.81 and 1:12.20.

Javanica revved up and put away the stubborn pace setter at the eighth pole, bidding to become the first filly to win a 2021 Kentucky Derby prep. But Rombauer had other ideas, closing with authority to her outside and scoring by a neck.

"I was confident that I had the horse to get there," Frey said. "... As soon as we straightened up, I knew it was over from that point on. What an amazing horse. I'm excited to see where this horse ends up."

Behind the top two, 99-1 long shot Govenor's Party took third-place honors.

Diane and John Fradkin campaign their homebred Rombauer, who returned $4.40 as the 6-5 favorite and hit the wire in 1:51.64.