What is the Santa Anita Derby?
The Santa Anita Derby is a prestigious Grade 1 horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The race is for three-year-old Thoroughbreds and is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles. It is one of the key prep races for the Kentucky Derby, making it an important event for both horse racing enthusiasts and online horse betting fans.
When does the Santa Anita Derby take place?
The Santa Anita Derby is scheduled to take place on April 5th. This date is crucial for those interested in placing bets, as it sets the stage for top horses to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, often leading to high stakes in online horse betting.
Santa Anita Derby Winners
Over the years, the Santa Anita Derby has produced many legendary winners. One of the most famous is California Chrome (2014), who went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Another legendary horse is Affirmed (1978), who went on to win the Triple Crown. Sunday Silence (1989) also claimed victory in this race before winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Horses like A.P. Indy (1992) and Point Given (2001) have also left their mark on the history of the event, making them standout names in horse racing and online horse betting discussions.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Phillip D'Amato | Waller, Eric M. and Waller, Sharon | 1:49:98 |
| 2023 | Practical Move | Ramon A. Vazquez | Tim Yakteen | Leslie A. Amestoy, Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. & Roger K. Beasley | 1:48.69 |
| 2022 | Taiba | Mike E. Smith | Tim Yakteen | Zedan Racing Stables | 1:48.46 |
| 2021 | Rock Your World | Umberto Rispoli | John W. Sadler | Hronis Racing LLC and David Michael Talla | 1:49.17 |
| 2020 | Honor A. P. | Mike E. Smith | John Shirreffs | C R K Stable LLC | 1:48.97 |
| 2019 | Roadster | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Speedway Stable LLC | 1:51.28 |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike E. Smith | Bob Baffert | Winstar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Racing LLC | 1:49.72 |
| 2017 | Gormley | Victor Espinoza | John Shirreffs | Jerry & Ann Moss | 1:51.16 |
The Santa Anita Derby is one of the most important prep races in the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The race is part of a points-based system that determines the field of 20 horses eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
The winner of the Santa Anita Derby earns significant points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby, making it a key race for horses aiming for a spot in the "Run for the Roses." Given the prestige of the race and its role in shaping the Kentucky Derby field, it is a popular choice for fans of online horse betting.
