Local runner Chase the Chaos blew past rivals in the stretch on his way to posting a two-length victory in the Listed El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, 11 February.
The El Camino Real victory not only earned the three-year-old gelded son of Astern 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but also got him an automatic berth in the G1 Preakness Stakes May 20.
Settled in mid-pack soon after the start, Chase the Chaos was content to let Nullarbor, one of two runners in the race for trainer Bob Baffert, go to the front and set the pace. Nullarbor led his rivals on a merry chase down the backstretch and into the far turn, where he was joined by Harcyn.
Nullarbor and Harcyn battled each other to the top of the lane, where Nullarbor began to get leg weary. Harcyn then took the lead, but it was short-lived, as Chase the Chaos came rolling down the center of the course on his way to earning his first Stakes win. Favored Gilmore closed belatedly to take second, with Harcyn holding on for third.
Bred in Pennsylvania by Mr. and Mrs. Dale N. Krapf, Chase the Chaos is out of the mare Live the Moment, a winning daughter of Uncle Mo. Chase the Chaos hails from the immediate family of multiple Graded Stakes winner Mister Mardi Gras (Belong to Me), winner of the G3 Ack Ack Handicap and G3 Washington Park Handicap.
A winner of the G1 Golden Rose, Astern has already sired six Stakes winners - including G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, Seradess, Sail By and Oxymore. The stallion is also represented by Aft Cabin, recent winner of the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Royal Randwick.
