Expert prediction
Santa Anita Derby Picks, Odds & Preview (Apr 4)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- When: Saturday, April 4, 2026 @ 5:46 PM ET
- Where: Santa Anita, California
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
The G1 Santa Anita Derby is one of the key preps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with as many as 17 runners in the race later landing the honors at Churchill Downs. A competitive edition of the race is set for 2026, and you can find the odds and our picks here.
Santa Anita Derby Odds
| Horse | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Potente | +250 |
| Intrepido | +333 |
| Robusta | +350 |
| Cherokee Nation | +400 |
| So Happy | +550 |
| Start The Ride | +1600 |
| Vitruvian Man | +3300 |
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 1 1/8 Miles |
| Purse | $500,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | Bob Baffert (9) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Gary Stevens (9) |
| Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points | 100-50-25-15-10 |
ALSO SEE: Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov Picks, Odds & Preview (Apr 11)
Santa Anita Derby Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael McCarthy |
| 2024 | Stronghold | Antonio Fresu | Philip D’Amato |
| 2023 | Practical Move | Ramon Vazquez | Tim Yakteen |
| 2022 | Taiba | Mike Smith | Tim Yaktee |
Race Preview
Bob Baffert typically sends his leading Derby hope to the Santa Anita Derby, with Triple Crown hero Justify being among his record nine winners in the race. Therefore, his two contenders in this weekend’s race should be considered.
His leading chance is likely to come in the form of Potente, who will be the ride of Juan Hernandez. The three-year-old by Into Mischief was a good winner of the G2 San Felipe Stakes at the start of last month, holding on to beat the re-opposing Robusta by a neck.
However, holes could be poked in that form, as Robusta has hardly been a consistent performer throughout his career. The three-year-old was sixth in the G3 Robert B. Lewis before finishing second behind Potente.
Baffert is also represented by Cherokee Nation this weekend. The Not This Time colt was a stunning ten-length winner of a maiden special weight last time. However, it is worth noting that he has failed to finish in the money on two previous attempts in stakes company.
Vitruvian Man and Start The Ride both look to have plenty to find to feature this weekend, while So Happy could be overlooked for the Mark Glatt team. The son of Runhappy was beaten by Potente in the G2 San Felipe, but he didn’t have the best trip on that day, and a clearer run could see him go closer.
Santa Anita Derby Picks
Jeff Mullins has trained the winner of the Santa Anita Derby on three previous occasions, and despite drawing wide, Intrepido could be the class angle.
The Maximus Mischief colt was narrowly beaten by Plutarch on his return after a long break in the G3 Robert B. Lewis, but was a standout juvenile last term, which included a win at Santa Anita in the G1 American Pharoah. Will produce a better effort now back up to his preferred distance this weekend than he did on seasonal return.
Free Pick:
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