What is the Santa Anita Derby?
The Santa Anita Derby is one of the most important prep races for the Kentucky Derby. Run annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, it is a Grade 1 race for three-year-olds held at a distance of 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs) on dirt. The race is traditionally run in early April and serves as the final major West Coast stepping stone to the Run for the Roses.
With a long history of producing top-tier horses, the Santa Anita Derby is a key part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system. The top finishers earn qualifying points that help determine who makes it into the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
History and Prestige
First run in 1935, the Santa Anita Derby has long been a showcase for rising talent on the West Coast. Over the decades, it has helped launch the careers of many future champions, including Affirmed, Winning Colors, Sunday Silence, Point Given, I’ll Have Another, and Justify.
Justify’s win in 2018 was especially notable, as he used the Santa Anita Derby as a launching pad to go undefeated and sweep the Triple Crown.
The race carries a purse of $750,000 and is considered one of the most prestigious Kentucky Derby prep races in the country, often drawing national attention.
Role as a Kentucky Derby Prep
The Santa Anita Derby is part of the official “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series. Horses earn qualifying points toward Derby entry based on their finish:
- 1st place: 100 points
- 2nd place: 40 points
- 3rd place: 30 points
- 4th place: 20 points
- 5th place: 10 points
Because of the point value and the timing of the race, it often attracts top three-year-olds from California and sometimes beyond. It can be a final tune-up for horses already considered Derby contenders or a breakout opportunity for improving runners.
Race Setup and Style
Santa Anita Park is known for its fast, fair dirt surface and wide, sweeping turns. Horses with tactical speed often have an edge, though closers with a strong finish have also been successful.
The 1⅛-mile distance tests stamina but is still short of the Kentucky Derby’s 1¼ miles, making it a good measure of which horses are capable of stretching out while maintaining form.
Trainers often use the Santa Anita Derby to tighten fitness, build confidence, or answer lingering distance questions before sending their horses to Churchill Downs.
Notable Winners
Several Santa Anita Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby or other Triple Crown races. Some of the most famous names include:
- Affirmed (1978 Triple Crown winner)
- Sunday Silence (1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner)
- I’ll Have Another (2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner)
- California Chrome (2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner)
- Justify (2018 Triple Crown winner)
These victories underscore the race’s importance in identifying elite three-year-olds on the rise.
Final Thoughts
The Santa Anita Derby stands as a critical race in shaping the Kentucky Derby field. It blends top-level talent, significant qualifying points, and West Coast tradition into one of the most exciting prep races of the spring season.
To follow results from Santa Anita and other key Derby preps, check out the EquinEdge Results page for near real-time race outcomes and insights.
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