Distance
1 1/8 miles
Surface
Dirt
Eligibility
3yo only
Grade
G1
About the race
The west coast's premier Derby prep. The race has produced champions including Affirmed, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, A.P. Indy, and Justify.
Race history
First run in 1935. The signature 3-year-old prep on the SoCal circuit. Bob Baffert has dominated this race in the modern era. Worth 100 Road-to-the-Derby points to the winner. Recent Derby winners who came through here include Justify (2018), American Pharoah (2015), and I'll Have Another (2012).
Betting trends
What sharps watch for
- 01
Baffert-trained horses have an outsized hit rate. The track-and-barn synergy is real.
- 02
The Santa Anita main track tends to favor pressers and stalkers over pure speed or deep closers.
- 03
The race is a strong Derby predictor when run on a fast track. Off tracks distort the form less reliably.
Recent winners
Last 5 editions
| Year | Winner | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Stronghold | — |
| 2023 | Practical Move | — |
| 2022 | Taiba | — |
| 2021 | Rock Your World | — |
| 2020 | Authentic | — |
Where to bet the Santa Anita Derby
US pari-mutuel wagering happens through licensed operators. TVG (FanDuel-owned) and TwinSpires (Churchill Downs) are the two largest dedicated US racing platforms; both ship win/place/show plus the full exotic ladder (exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, Pick 3/4/6) at the Santa Anita Park meeting.
Other Derby preps
Bet responsibly · 21+ · 1-800-GAMBLER