California Derby winner Chocolate Candy had a solid workout Thursday at Golden Gate Fields as he continues his preparation for the Grade 3 $200,000 El Camino Real Derby.
Chocolate Candy drilled five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 handily under jockey Russell Baze. The work was easily the best of 10 at the distance (1:01 4/5 was second-best) and it thoroughly impressed veteran clocker Art Lobato.
“He went nice and easy the first three-eighths (of a mile) and then powered home the last quarter,” said Lobato. “It was a very sharp move.”
The work was Chocolate Candy’s second since he captured the $100,000 California Derby on Jan. 17. Chocolate Candy worked a half-mile in :48 4/5 handily on Jan. 24.
Chocolate Candy, a Kentucky-bred colt by Candy Ride, was bred by Sid and Jenny Craig and races for The Craig Family Trust. Jerry Hollendorfer trains Chocolate Candy, who has won three of his seven career starts and $262,500.
The El Camino Real Derby, Northern California’s top Kentucky Derby prep, is a 1 1/8-mile contest that will be run Saturday, Feb. 14, at Golden Gate Fields.