A small but stellar field was entered for Saturday’s $500,000 Santa Anita Derby, an important Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifier held at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park.
The five-horse field contains two of the probable favorites for the Kentucky Derby: #1 Journalism and #2 Citizen Bull. Both bring strong credentials to the table. Choosing which one to bet isn’t easy.
Citizen Bull is the most accomplished Santa Anita Derby entrant. In 2024, he won the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes presented by DK Horse and Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by TAA on his way to being voted champion 2-year-old male of 2024. He opened 2025 with a sharp win in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes and has posted a series of fast workouts leading up to the Santa Anita Derby, suggesting another strong performance is in the offing.
But Journalism has also compiled a strong record. Last December, he finished fast from just off the pace to win the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity by 3 1/2 lengths over a quality field. Then, after taking some time off, he started 2025 with a resounding 1 3/4-length triumph over Barnes in Santa Anita’s Grade 2 DK Horse San Felipe Stakes.
Journalism completed the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe in the fast time of 1:42.24, earning a massive 108 Beyer Speed Figure. His workouts since the San Felipe haven’t been as fast as the ones he posted beforehand, so it’s possible Journalism will regress a little in his second start of the season — after all, there’s no need for him to peak four weeks before the $3 million Kentucky Derby. But since Citizen Bull has yet to post a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure, Journalism has some wiggle room to regress and still win the Santa Anita Derby.
We suggest betting Journalism on top in the trifecta, which requires selecting the top three finishers in order.
We’ll count on Citizen Bull to finish second, and for third place we’ll definitely use #4 Barnes. After trouncing the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths, Barnes finished second to Journalism in the San Felipe while pulling 9 1/2 lengths clear of the third-place finisher.
If you want to spend a bit more and cover another possible outcome, consider adding a second trifecta using the stoutly bred Santa Anita maiden winner #5 Baeza for third place.
Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget
$10 trifecta: 1 with 2 with 4
What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, Race 10, $10 trifecta 1 with 2 with 4
Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget
$22 trifecta: 1 with 2 with 4
What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, Race 10, $22 trifecta 1 with 2 with 4
$8 trifecta: 1 with 2 with 5
What to say at the betting window: Santa Anita, Race 10, $8 trifecta 1 with 2 with 5
Good luck and enjoy the race!
Daily Double
10-1
10-1
$10
Trifecta
1-5-3
1-5-3
$107
Daily Double
10-1
10-1
$10
Trifecta
1-5-3
1-5-3
$107
