The California Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses held early in the year at Golden Gate Fields. An ungraded stakes, it is open to three-year-olds at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on a Tapeta surface. The Derby offers a purse of $100,000. Northern California's first major test for horses hoping to run for the Triple Crown, the California Derby is also the main local prep race for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby also run at Golden Gate. The California Derby has been run since 1873. At that time it was set at twelve furlongs or a mile and a half and was won by Camilla Urso. Mollie McCarty won the 1876 edition and in 1909, African-American jockey James Lee won the race aboard High Private. Royal Orbit, who ran third in the California Derby, won the 1959 Preakness, and in 1909 Joe Madden, who ran second in the California Derby to High Private, won the Belmont Stakes. The 1996 winner, Pike Place Dancer won the Kentucky Oaks. Winners of the California Derby since 1991 Winners before 1991 1990 - Stalwart Charger 1989 - Endow 1988 - All Thee Power 1987 - Simply Majestic 1986 - Vernon Castle 1985 - Hajjis Treasure 1984 - Distant Ryder 1983 - Paris Prince 1982 - Rockwall 1981 - Always a Cinch 1980 - Jaklin Klugman 1979 - Beau's Eagle 1978 - Noble Bronze 1977 - Cuzwuzwrong 1976 - Telly's Pop 1975 - Diabolo 1974 - Agitate 1973 - Linda's Chief 1972 - Quack 1971 - Unconscious 1970 - George Lewis 1969 - Jay Ray 1968 - Proper Proof 1967 - Reason to Hail 1966 - Tragniew 1965 - Perfect Sky 1964 - Real Good Deal 1963 - On My Honor 1962 - Doc Jocoy 1961 - Mr. Consistency 1960 - Noble Noor 1959 - Finnegan 1958 - Nice Guy 1957 - NOT RUN 1956 - No Regrets 1955 - Trackmaster 1954 - Miz Clementine 1949 - 1953 - NOT RUN 1948 - May Reward 1947 - NOT RUN 1946 - War Spun 1945 - NOT RUN 1944 - Jade Boy 1942 & 1943 - NOT RUN 1941 - Pirate 1939 & 1940 - NOT RUN 1938 - Grim Reaper 1937 - Rockwood 1936 - Lloyd Pan 1935 - Toro Flight 1923 - Victoire 1910 - Turrets 1909 - High Private 1908 - Meelick 1907 - Temaceo 1906 - Good Luck