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Metaboss proves just that in El Camino Real

Metaboss is now two-for-two over 1 1/8 miles (Shane Micheli/Vassar Photography) Arndt, McFetridge, Preiss, Metanovic and Azcarate's Metaboss (Street Boss), who displayed a potent late kick to break his maiden on the Santa Anita turf last out, was similarly devastating in Saturday's $200,525 El Camino Real Derby (G3) on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields. Trained by Jeff Bonde and patiently ridden by Hall of Famer Alex Solis, the 6-1 chance sprinted home to earn 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1). Cross the Line (Line of David), one of a trio representing Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, rallied to edge 9-5 favorite Conquest Typhoon (Stormy Atlantic) for second. Cross the Line banked four Derby points, and Conquest Typhoon added two to his account, bringing his total up to six. Metaboss brought some smart form lines with him up north. Fourth to Ocho Ocho Ocho (Street Sense) in the off-the-turf Juvenile "Turf" Sprint November 1 at Santa Anita in his lone dirt try, the chestnut colt was subsequently second to the dynamic Bolo (Temple City) in a Del Mar turf maiden November 29. Metaboss duly opened his account over 1 1/8 grassy miles next time at Santa Anita January 4. While he was making his first start on a synthetic surface here, he was proven at the distance.

In the early going, Florida shipper Indianaughty (Indian Charlie) took the lead through an opening quarter in :25 1/5. Then Conquest Typhoon moved up to engage down the backstretch, and the two argued through fractions of :49 1/5 and 1:13 4/5. Conquest Typhoon shook free of his pace rival turning for home, but the favorite appeared vulnerable as the closing pack bore down.

Finishing best of all was Metaboss, who exploded from well back and drew away by 2 1/2 lengths. He negotiated 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta in 1:49 4/5 and rewarded his backers with a $15.20 win payout.

Cross the Line, who had to check off heels entering the clubhouse turn, found himself stuck behind horses at the top of the lane. But once finding room, he finished well to deny Conquest Typhoon the runner-up spot by a neck. Harmonic (Congrats) earned one Derby point in fourth, and Soul Driver (Street Boss), Stand and Salute (Saint Anddan), Mischief Clem (Papa Clem), Ernest Shackleton (Duke of Marmalade), Indianaughty and the eased Donji (Big Brown), a 120-1 longshot, rounded out the order of finish.

Bred by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Toffan in Kentucky, Metaboss fetched just $10,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November, but later sold for $60,000 as a Barretts May two-year-old in training. He has now bankrolled $157,520 from his 5-2-1-1 record.

Metaboss is out of the stakes-placed Free House mare Spinning Yarns, who is also responsible for the Puerto Rican stakes-placed Tejedor (Any Given Saturday). Metaboss' second dam, Belle Story (Bien Bien), is a full sister to Grade 1-placed stakes hero Buckland Manor. This is the further family of Grade 2 scorer Bosque Redondo (Mane Minister).

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