Growing up watching horse racing, the Santa Anita Derby was always one of my favorite races of the year and outside of the Triple Crown races, it was the best race of the year for the 3-year-old horses. Some years it was better than the Preakness.
Sadly, that is no longer the case, and this year’s race is living proof with only five horses going to post for Saturday’s race. And with only five horses entering the race, the Kentucky Derby people stripped the race of some prep qualifying points.
Instead of the 100-50-25-15-10-point scale the other preps will offer on Saturday, the Santa Derby is down to 75, 37.5, and 18.75.
It will be a pity if a horse runs third, gets 18.75 points and misses out on a spot in the Kentucky Derby by say five points, something that would have been available with the 25 points available to tracks that can fill a Grade I race with home than five horses.
Now, that being said, of the five horses in the field, I believe that there are three that could have a chance to win the Kentucky Derby in Journalism, Citizen Bull, and Barnes
Here is the field with comments on each.
Santa Anita Derby
(Santa Anita, 10th race, 4:30 p.m.)
Although it is a terrible disappointment that only five are entered in what I used to think was the signature of all the Kentucky Derby prep races, three of the five have legitimate shots at winning on May 3.
Here is the field in post-position order.
- Journalism (Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli) is one of the big-dogs in here. Is coming off a late closing win in the San Felipe where he got a 108 Beyer mark. It was his first start since mid-December so there’s every reason to expect more here. Loves to sit mid-pack and make the late run. Shooting for his fourth straight win.
- Citizen Bull (Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia) is the other big runner in the field and is also sitting on three wins in a row. Last raced in the Robert Lewis back on February 1. There is no secret here – the gate opens, and the horse will go. The two-year-old champ as he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 16/1. This could be one hell of a stretch run.
- Westwood (John Shirreffs, T.J. Pereira) is still a maiden after three starts, running second in his last start. Normally I would wonder why the horse was entered but with only a five-horse field, I am thankful he did to keep us from having a four-horse, Grade I race.
- Barnes (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez) is a horse I have liked from the get-go, but he has only three starts. All were great efforts including the win in the San Vicente and a second to Journalism in the San Felipe, getting caught late but still carding a 105 Beyer. Also, a speed horse, it will be interesting to see the strategy for the two Baffert horses. My guess is Citizen Bull goes, and Barnes will rate.
- Baeza (John Shirreffs, Hector Berrios) broke maiden last time out – his third start – in impressive fashion, winning by over four lengths and getting a 93 Beyer. Will be pushing the pace and looking for first run.
Derby Day Handicapping Contest!
A reminder about the details for the Kentucky Derby Handicapping contest that will take place Saturday, May 3 at the Pleasanton Off-Track Betting facility.
The format is simple and is open to anybody that will be at the OTB throughout the day of the Kentucky Derby. All you must do is select a winner for each stakes race at Churchill Downs on the Day of the Derby.
Using a 5-3-1-point system for finishing first, second, and third, the person with the most points following the Kentucky Derby wins!
The prize breakdown is: First, $150 voucher; Second: $100 voucher; Third, $50 voucher; Fourth, $25 voucher.
There will also be drawings throughout the day for free Alameda County Fair tickets. We also have contests planned for Preakness Day and Belmont Day!
If you have any questions, shoot me an email and I will be happy to help at [email protected].