California Derby attracts seven for Saturday

Horseracing Betting Lines

01/11/2012 - Berkeley, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first of two stakes races for three-year- olds at Golden Gate Fields this winter goes off on Saturday with the running of the $100,000 California Derby. The 1 1/16-mile race is a prep event for the track's $200,000 El Camino Real Derby on February 18.

The seven horse field is led by Russian Greek, winner of the track's Gold Rush Stakes. Russian Greek, trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, will start from post six with Aaron Gryder in the saddle.

Owned by Olympia Star Inc., Russian Greek opened his career with a win at San Rosa last July. In November the colt was fifth in the Golden Nugget at Golden Gate before rallying from last to win the Gold Rush by a neck over Marshal Marini. He has banked $61,700.

Breaking from post five will be Blacky the Bull, the third-place finisher in the Gold Rush. Trained by Jeff Bonde, the colt had been eighth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint behind Secret Circle. In five starts Blacky the Bull has a win and a third for $42,780. Kerwin John has the riding assignment aboard Blacky the Bull.

Also coming out of the Gold Rush is fourth-place finisher Cahill Chrome. The chestnut gelding will be ridden by Juan Hernandez from post four.

Cahill Chrome, trained by Roger Hansen, reeled off three straight wins before the Gold Rush. In nine career starts he has earned $56,182.

Here is the field for the California Derby in post position order: Senor Rain, Kevin Krigger; Hodge, Russell Baze; Unveiled Heat, Abel Cedillo; Cahill Chrome, Juan Hernandez; Blacky the Bull, Kerwin John; Russian Greek, Aaron Gryder and Reconstruction, Frank Alvarado.

Post-time on Saturday is scheduled for 7:22 p.m. (et).

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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