Showdown of 3-Year-Old Stars in Santa Anita Derby

April 4th, 2014 by Jen Ferguson

Art by Jen Ferguson

The $1-million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday at Santa Anita Park drew a number of elite Kentucky Derby hopefuls, including leading classics contenders California Chrome, Candy Boy and Hoppertunity.

The Santa Anita Derby is California’s signature prep race for the first jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The 2012 Santa Anita Derby victor, I’ll Have Another, went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

In 1988 and 1989, Winning Colors and Sunday Silence, respectively, completed the Santa Anita Derby-Kentucky Derby double.

BE THERE: The most affordable Derby Experience is up for grabs: get an Official Kentucky Derby Ticket Package with a great view of the start/finish line, open bar and much more.

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who will ride Candy Boy, has won the race a record nine times.

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert’s six wins in the race are a record for a trainer. He will saddle Hoppertunity on Saturday.

$1-million Santa Anita Derby

Saturday, Santa Anita Park, Race 8, 6:30 p.m. ET

1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds

Television: NBC Sports Network – 5:30 p.m. ET

PP	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Morning Line
1	Rprettyboyfloyd	Rafael Bejarano	Denise E. Breuer	20-to-1
2	Friendswith K Mill	Tyler Baze	Doug F. O'Neill	20-to-1
3	Hoppertunity	Mike E. Smith	Bob Baffert	3-to-1
4	Big Tire	Edwin A. Maldonado	Mark Glatt	20-to-1
5	California Chrome	Victor Espinoza	Art Sherman	6-to-5
6	Candy Boy	Gary L. Stevens	John W. Sadler	9-to-5
7	Schoolofhardrocks	Joseph Talamo	David E. Hofmans	10-to-1
8	Dublin Up	Kent J. Desormeaux	Peter Miller	30-to-1