Treekster Beats Disposal to Win California Derby

Whether or not Treekster has earned a return trip to Kentucky remains to be seen.

Trainer Vladimir Cerin and the colt’s owners have a decision to make after Treekster’s neck victory over Disposal in the $300,000 California Derby Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

A troubled third in the Jim Beam Stakes at Turfway Park two weeks earlier, the son of Badger Land led every step of the way after breaking from the rail under Gary Boulanger and then held off Disposal. The 4-1 third choice at Golden Gate, Treekster covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.

Even so, Alan Landsburg, who owns 44% of Treekster, wasn’t sure if they will go to Churchill Downs for the Derby on May 2. “I’ve been to Kentucky many times and I don’t need to go,” he said. “If I don’t feel we can benefit, we won’t go.”

Said Cerin: “We’ll talk it over after we see how he comes out of the race. I always said I wouldn’t go to Kentucky unless I had a horse that could pay my way. Maybe this is the one. It was a game effort.”

Making only his second career start, Disposal finished four lengths ahead of Bright Day Bob and is scheduled to join stablemate Bertrando in the Kentucky Derby.