A. P. Warrior takes El Camino Real trek

Norfolk S. (G2) runner-up A. P. WARRIOR (A.P. Indy) will head to Bay Meadows

Sunday for his three-year-old debut in the $250,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3). The Eoin Harty trainee will face six rivals, including San Rafael S. (G2) third-placer WANNA RUNNER (El Corredor), in the 1 1/16-mile event. Hill Rise S. victor

OBJECTIVE (El Corredor) and BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle), who exits a smart

local score over allowance/optional-claiming opponents, are also entered.

A $1.3 million yearling purchase, A. P. Warrior has attracted much fanfare

since winning his career bow by four lengths at Hollywood Park last summer, but

the Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful will need to rebound off a disappointing fourth

in the Hollywood Futurity (G1). Alex Solis will ride him for the first time on

Sunday.

Wanna Runner broke his maiden at Hollywood in late November for trainer Bob

Baffert and followed with a solid allowance win at Santa Anita a month later. He

made his stakes bow last time in the San Rafael and finished a respectable third

behind Brother Derek (Benchmark) and Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even),

respectively.

CAUSE TO BELIEVE (Maria's Mon), a three-time stakes winner who finished

second in the San Miguel S. last out at Santa Anita, will break from the rail

with Russell Baze. Next in post position order comes A .P. Warrior; Objective,

Roberto Gonzalez; PASSIVE INCOME (High Yield), Chad Schvaneveldt; Wanna Runner,

David Flores; ACOLYTE (Victory Gallop), Chance Rollins; and Bold Chieftain,

Tyler Baze.

All starters will carry 115 pounds.