Santa Anita Derby 2014 Contenders & Odds

Las Vegas, NV - The Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby comes our way this Saturday, April 5 from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Some of the best three year olds in the land will line up on Santa Anita's dirt track and go 1 1/8 miles in search of the winner's share of the $1 million and the valuable 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby in a month's time.

The Santa Anita Derby has attracted a strong field of eight Derby hopefuls to go in race 8 on Santa Anita's Saturday card. Post time is 3:30 PM. Here is a look into the past performances of all eight entries into this important Kentucky Derby points gathering Grade 1 stakes.

2014 Santa Anita Derby Race Favorite Entries

California Chrome - Art Sherman pupil enters the Santa Anita Derby on a three race win streak by a combined 19 lengths - over Midnight Hawk and Kristo the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes by an impressive 7 1/4 lengths (with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure) last time out here March 8 after two minor stakes races - the California Cup here January 25 after the King Glorious Stakes at Hollywood Park December 22. Before this results were a pair of sixths including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at Del Mar in September. California Chrome is the most experienced entry in the field with nine career starts and he certainly is in peak form as we near the Kentucky Derby. He has four wins in those starts with a second place finish as well. Victor Espinoza gets the return call from post 5 aboard the 6-5 morning line favorite.

Candy Boy - highly regarded colt has six career starts for trainer John Sadler - a pair of fourths to start his career to go along with a pair of seconds including the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity behind Eclipse Award winner Shared Belief December 14 with a 95 Beyer Speed Figure. Last time out Candy Boy took his game to a different level with a terrific win over Chitu (with a 96 Beyer Speed Figure) in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on this track February 8. He has two wins and two seconds in his last four starts and like California Chrome is peaking at just the right time. He leaves from gate 6 Saturday with the legendary Gary Stevens in the saddle as the 9-5 second choice.

Santa Anita Derby 2014 | Remaining Contenders

Hoppertunity - Bob Baffert trained colt is coming off a great win over Tapiture (with a career best 100 Beyer Speed Figure) in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park March 15 after a fourth in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds February 22. His other two career results were a win and a fifth in a pair of MSW races on this track to start his career. His win last time out opened a few eyes - enough to make Hoppertunity the 3-1 third choice. Mike Smith gets the call.

Santa Anita Derby betting at Santa Anita Park with OffTrackBetting.com

Schoolofhardrocks - will race for just the third time for trainer David Hofmans. He broke maiden at first asking in August at Del Mar and was fourth in his only other start - the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on this track March 8. He is lightly raced for sure and is 10-1 on the morning line. Joe Talamo gets the call from post 7.

Rprettyboyfloyd - has five career starts - all this year with four seconds and a third place finish. His seconds all came in MSW races on this track while his third place finish came in the Grade 2 San Vicente here February 16. He starts from the rail with Rafael Bejarano in the saddle at 20-1 odds.

Friendswith K Mill - Doug O'Neill trained colt will race in stakes company for the first time Saturday after five career starts yielded one win and one second place finish. He is coming off an OK second in an Allowance here March 16 after his only career win - a Maiden Claiming on this track February 7. He takes the enormous leap up in competition and is listed at 20-1 odds. Tyler Baze has the mount from post 2.

Big Tire - has six career starts - all MSW races on this track. He finally broke maiden last time out March 17 after two second place finishes. Big Tire has improved every time out but looks to be in deep Saturday. He starts from post 4 with Edwin Maldonado aboard at 20-1 odds.

Dublin Up - Peter Miller trained colt has four career starts with two third place finishes to show for it - both coming in MSW races here in his last two starts. Dublin Up starts from the outside post at 30-1 odds with Kent Desormeaux in the saddle.