The $750,000, Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Saturday at Santa Anita Park drew the top-three finishers from the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes and the race figures to send multiple talented West Coast-based 3-year-olds to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve with legitimate win aspirations.
That makes sense, because this 1 1/8-mile race historically has been an influential prep race for the Triple Crown and a feather in the cap to win in its own right. Twenty 3-year-olds have competed in the Santa Anita Derby and gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, including 11 racehorses talented enough to win them both: Hill Gail (1952), Determine (1954), Swaps (1955), Lucky Debonair (1965), Majestic Prince (1969), Affirmed (1978), the filly Winning Colors (1988), Sunday Silence (1989), I’ll Have Another (2012), California Chrome (2014), and Justify (2018).
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The Santa Anita Derby will be broadcast on NBC as part of the network’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series and will also air on FanDuel TV. Post time for the Santa Anita Derby is 5:30 p.m. ET.
Read on to learn about all of the Santa Anita Derby contenders, listed below in post-position order (with morning-line odds).
1. I Don’t Get It (20-1 morning-line odds)
Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Owner: Reddam Racing LLC
Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $48,240
Earnings per start: $16,080
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 94
Kentucky Derby points: 0
Pedigree: Cloud Computing – Flat Out Gittin It, by Flat Out
Color: Dark bay or brown
Running style: Stalker
Notable achievements and interesting facts: I Don’t Get It was unraced as a 2-year-old in 2022 and needed three starts this year to earn his first victory, winning by three-quarters of a length March 11 in a 1 1/16-mile race at Santa Anita Park. The Cloud Computing colt earned a 94 Equibase Speed Figure, indicative of a solid level of talent, but he faces a major class test in the Santa Anita Derby against several fast, accomplished members of the 3-year-old division. Trainer Doug O’Neill has won the Santa Anita Derby twice with I’ll Have Another (2012) and Goldencents (2013) so he knows what type of horse it takes to win this race, but those two runners were much more proven at this stage. Sometimes 3-year-olds improve significantly at this time of year and outperform expectations. That’s certainly possible with I Don’t Get It, but it would be a surprise to see him in the winner’s circle. I think the far more likely best-case scenario is holding on for a minor award after an ideal stalking trip under jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rode I’ll Have Another to victory in the 2012 Santa Anita Derby for O’Neill and I Don’t Get It’s owner, J. Paul Reddam.
Bet I Don’t Get It in the Santa Anita Derby
2. Dazzlemesilver (50-1)
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Owners: Gwendolyn Dart, Ronald Dart and Keith Desormeaux
Career record: 2 starts – 0 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds
Career earnings: $16,080
Earnings per start: $8,040
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 89
Kentucky Derby points: 0
Pedigree: Tapwrit – Indian Goddess, by Indian Charlie
Color: Gray or roan
Running style: Stalker/press the pace
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Trainer Keith Desormeaux certainly knows the recipe for an upset on the Kentucky Derby trail having concocted one of the biggest upsets ever in a Derby prep when Ive Struck a Nerve won the Risen Star Stakes at 135.20-1 in 2013. While Confidence Game’s $39 win in the Rebel Stakes Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park was not quite that big of a stunner, it did serve as a reminder not to discount Desormeaux runners in big spots, and on wet tracks for that matter. Despite the cautionary tale to open this segment, Dazzlemesilver absolutely has his work cut out for him in the Santa Anita Derby with just a pair of thirds in two career starts and not a single victory on his record. The gray or roan colt by Tapwrit took a significant step forward in his second start, however, when stretching out from a sprint to 1 1/16 miles March 11 at Santa Anita as he improved his career-best Equibase Speed Figure 17 points to an 89 when third behind Santa Anitra Derby entrant I Don’t Get It. Dazzlemesilver would need a similar jump to vie for a win here in his third start, but if he’s up to the task the reward for bettors would very likely be massive. Dazzlemesilver was produced by the Indian Charlie mare Indian Goddess, a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to multiple Grade 1 winner The Factor. Keith Desormeaux and jockey Kent Desormeaux, Keith’s brother, partnered to win the Santa Anita Derby in 2016 with Exaggerator. Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux also won this race way back in 1997 on Free House.
Bet Dazzlemesilver in the Santa Anita Derby
3. Geaux Rocket Ride (3-1)
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Career record: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $120,200
Earnings per start: $60,100
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 104
Kentucky Derby points: 20
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Beyond Grace, by Uncle Mo
Color: Bay
Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace
Notable achievements and interesting facts: It seemed noteworthy when patient Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella sent out debut winner Geaux Rocket Ride to compete in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes March 4 in his second race. That type of confidence spoke volumes and the Candy Ride colt rewarded Mandella’s faith with a runner-up finish and a new career-best Equibase Speed Figure. With even a small step forward in the Santa Anita Derby, Geaux Rocket Ride could not only punch his ticket to the Kentucky Derby but perhaps upset morning-line favorite Practical Move. He has the speed to set or press the pace and should be able to work out an advantageous trip under Flavien Prat in a field with very not a ton of speed to challenge him. Geaux Rocket Ride looms a serious challenger to upset Practical Move and give his owner, trainer, and jockey their first win in the Santa Anita Derby.
Bet Geaux Rocket Ride in the Santa Anita Derby
4. One in Vermillion (50-1)
Jockey: Hector Berrios
Trainer: Eric Kruljac
Owner: Jonathan Kalman
Career record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $167,440
Earnings per start: $33,488
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 87
Kentucky Derby points: 5
Pedigree: Army Mule – Given Star, by Any Given Saturday
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Pacesetter/press the pace
Notable achievements and interesting facts: One in Vermillion won three straight stakes races, two at Turf Paradise in 2022 and one at Sunland Park Jan. 29 in the Riley Alison Derby in his 3-year-old bow, before he was tested for the first time on the 2023 Kentucky Derby trail. Previous trainer Esteban Martinez, who continues to exercise One in Vermillion for new trainer Eric Kruljac according to Daily Racing Form, entered the Army Mule colt in the Sunland Park Derby March 26 and he acted up in the starting gate before a slow start that probably cost him any chance in the race. One in Vermillion had set or pressed the pace in his three stakes wins but dropped back to fifth after the sluggish beginning in the Sunland Park Derby. He never made an impact while beaten by 12 ¾ lengths by Wild On Ice and his 70 Equibase Speed Figure was 17 points off the career-best 87 he had earned in winning both the Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes in December at Turf Paradise and Riley Allison Futurity. One in Vermillion should factor in the pace setup in the Santa Anita Derby but he profiles as another longshot who would need a career-best effort to finish in the top three.
Bet One in Vermillion in the Santa Anita Derby
5. Practical Move (8-5)
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Owners: Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., and Roger K. Beasley
Career record: 6 starts – 3 wins – 1 second – 2 thirds
Career earnings: $434,200
Earnings per start: $72,367
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 108
Kentucky Derby points: 60
Pedigree: Practical Joke – Ack Naughty, by Afleet Alex
Color: Bay
Running style: Stalker
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Much was made of the fact that multiple 3-year-olds were transferred from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to Tim Yakteen so they would be eligible to accrue Kentucky Derby qualifying points. But Practical Move showed in winning the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes by 2 ½ lengths that Yakteen’s best Kentucky Derby hope is the talented colt who has been with him from the start. Practical Move closed his 2-year-old season with a 10.60-1 upset win in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity and his season-debut win in the San Felipe coupled with the defection of highly regarded Arabian Knight solidified his credentials as the best West Coast Kentucky Derby candidate. Practical Move is very fast, he’s in terrific form, and he looks like a deserving favorite. A win in the Santa Anita Derby would very likely made him one of the two or three favorites for the Kentucky Derby May 6 at Churchill Downs. Yakteen won the Santa Anita Derby for the first time last year with Taiba.
Bet Practical Move in the Santa Anita Derby
6. National Treasure (3-1)
Jockey: John Velazquez
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 2 thirds
Career earnings: $300,000
Earnings per start: $75,000
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 101
Kentucky Derby points: 0
Pedigree: Quality Road – Treasure, by Medaglia d’Oro
Color: Bay
Running style: Stalker
Notable achievements and interesting facts: National Treasure has proven that he belongs in top company, but he’s yet to break through and win a stakes race. Since a front-running maiden special weight win sprinting Sept. 3, 2022, at Del Mar, National Treasure has finished second to Cave Rock in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes, third behind champion Forte and Cave Rock in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and third by a length in his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes. National Treasure was the morning-line favorite for the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes but missed the race with a bruised foot and looks to get back on track in the Santa Anita Derby in his first start for trainer Tim Yakteen. With Equibase Speed Figures of 99-100-101 for his last three starts, National Treasure is fast and consistent but has yet show a will to win. He has zero qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby because horses in the care of previous trainer Bob Baffert are ineligible while he serves a two-year suspension from Churchill Downs for Medina Spirit’s medication violation in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. That makes the Santa Anita Derby National Treasure’s one shot at qualifying to start in the first jewel of the Triple Crown. He would very likely need a win or a second-place finish to punch his Kentucky Derby ticket. Yakteen won the Santa Anita Derby last year with Taiba. Jack and Laurie Wolf’s Starlight Racing and Sol Kumin of Madaket Stables were part owners of 2018 Santa Anita Derby winner and eventual Triple Crown champ Justify, with Kumin’s ownership coming via another entity, Head of Plains Partners. Kumin/Head of Plains Partners also co-owned 2016 Santa Anita Derby winner Exaggerator.
Bet National Treasure in the Santa Anita Derby
7. Skinner (4-1)
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Owner: C R K Stable
Career record: 5 starts – 1 win – 0 seconds – 2 thirds
Career earnings: $126,300
Earnings per start: $25,260
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 103
Kentucky Derby points: 15
Pedigree: Curlin – Winding Way, by Malibu Moon
Color: Bay
Running style: Closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Much of the pre-race hype will focus on the top two finishers from the San Felipe Stakes – Practical Move and runner-up Geaux Rocket Ride – but make no mistake Skinner also ran a terrific race when third March 4 at Santa Anita. Trainer John Shirreffs showed confidence in the Curlin colt as a 2-year-old in 2022 when he entered him in the Grade 1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity and Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes as a maiden (a term used to describe a racehorse who has never won a race). Skinner was not quite ready and finished well-beaten in his first two stakes tries, but looked like a different animal after a four-month layoff when he returned for his 3-year-old bow and posted a 3 ¼-length win in a maiden special weight race Feb. 12 at Santa Anita. The 94 Equibase Speed Figure was 17 points better than any he earned in 2022 and the progression continued with a 103 for his third in the San Felipe. Skinner is a 3-year-old on an upward trajectory approaching the most important race, to date, in his career. He’s a win candidate here but I’m not sure the race sets up well for him tactically. A potential lack of speed could hurt his win chances, but if he can finish in the top three and punch his ticket to the Kentucky Derby, Skinner would profile as a very intriguing longshot. Shirreffs has won the Santa Anita Derby three times with Tiago (2007), Gormley (2017), and Honor A. P for Skinner’s owner C R K Stable in 2020. Jockey Victor Espinoza also has three wins in the race: Midnight Interlude (2011), California Chrome (2014), and Gormley (2017).
Bet Skinner in the Santa Anita Derby
8. Mandarin Hero (8-1)
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Trainer: Terunobu Fujita
Owner: Hiroaki Arai
Career record: 5 starts – 4 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Career earnings: $236,854
Earnings per start: $47,371
Top Equibase Speed Figure: N/A
Kentucky Derby points: 0
Pedigree: Shanghai Bobby – Namura Nadeshiko, by Fuji Kiseki
Color: Brown
Running style: Stalker/closer
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Mandarin Hero is from the first Japanese crop of 2012 champion 2-year-old male Shanghai Bobby. Trained by Terunobu Fujita, Mandarin Hero was unbeaten in four starts in 2022 on Japan’s National Association of Racing (NAR) circuit, and rallied late to finish second by a head Feb. 23 at Oi Racecourse in his first race after a three-month layoff. It is important to note that the NAR circuit in Japan is regarded as providing a lower level of competition than the country’s Japan Racing Association (JRA) circuit, which sent four horses to complete the superfecta in the March 25 UAE Derby Sponsored by Atlantis The Royal at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, two of which may enter the Kentucky Derby. Japanese invaders have more than proved their mettle on the international stages in recent years, and in fact won two other Thoroughbred races on the March 25 Dubai World Cup Presented by Emirates Airlines card, but this colt is a wild card coming from the lesser-known circuit that features primarily dirt racing. Fujita, 46, will be the first NAR trainer to start a horse in the U.S. Kazushi Kimura, a native of Japan based at Santa Anita Park, picked up the ride on Mandarin Hero in the Santa Anita Derby.
Bet Mandarin Hero in the Santa Anita Derby
9. Low Expectations (30-1)
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Trainer: Antonio Garcia
Owners: Reddam Racing
Career record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Career earnings: $193,480
Earnings per start: $27,640
Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96
Kentucky Derby points: 20
Pedigree: Nyquist – Eloquent Tribute, by Tapit
Color: Chestnut
Running style: Press the pace
Notable achievements and interesting facts: Expectations were, in fact, low for this Nyquist colt entering the $600,000 Sunland Park Derby on March 26 as he had the second-highest odds in the six-horse field at 21-1 odds. Low Expectations outran his odds to say the least in finishing second to, wouldn’t you know it, 35.40-1 Wild On Ice, the longest shot in the field for the race at Sunland Park. After winning his two previous starts in front-running fashion on Jan. 15 and March 3, both at Santa Anita Park, Low Expectations was reserved off the pace early in the Sunland Park Derby and finished willingly for second in his stakes debut. Low Expectations probably would need only a fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby and the extra 20 qualifying points to cement a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Rounding out the superfecta at a big price looks like the ceiling for Low Expectations against a field of this quality, but that might be enough to send him on to Louisville for owner Reddam Racing, which won both the Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby in 2012 with I’ll Have Another. Jockey Umberto Rispoli won the Santa Anita Derby in 2021 aboard Rock Your World.
Bet Low Expectations in the Santa Anita Derby
