Santa Anita Derby 2023 Field, Odds and Picks for Saturday - FanDuel

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the biggest point races of the Championship Series. Saturday's big day at Santa Anita Park includes the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby -- the major pre-race at Santa Anita ahead of the Run for the Roses.

The Grade 1 race awards the top 5 finishers Kentucky Derby points (100-40-30-20-10). At the completion of all the Kentucky Derby points races, the top 20 points leaders on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard earn a spot at the starting gate for the May 6 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The winner of the 1 1/8 mile Santa Anita Derby will earn enough points to qualify for the 1 1/4 mile Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 6. The runner-up will likely be in the Kentucky Derby as well if not already qualified.

The top-3 finishers from the March 4 San Felipe Stakes return with winner Practical Move and the co-favorites that day, Geaux Rocket Ride and Skinner.

The 86th edition of the Santa Anita Derby is worth watching, as the race often sends competitive runners to the Kentucky Derby. The Santa Anita Derby has produced 20 horses that have gone on to capture the Run for the Roses and win the Kentucky Derby.

Winning Kentucky Derby Prep Race Picks

Kentucky Derby prep winning picks in February and March on multiple races, including:
- Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (Litigate: 3/1)
- Withers Stakes at Aqueduct (Hit Show: 7/5)
- Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita (Newgate: 6/5)
- Holy Bull at Gulfstream (Rocket Can: 5/2)
- Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn (Reincarnate, 3rd at 5/1)
- Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream (Forte: 3/2)
- Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (Kingsbarns: 9/2, Disarm: 8/1, 1st & 2nd)
- Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park (Two Phil's: 3/1)
- UAE Derby at Meydan in Dubai (Derma Sotogake: 10/1)
- Florida Derby at Gulfstream (Forte: 2/5)

FanDuel Racing has you covered for the biggest racing days and events, and you can watch and wager on FanDuelTV. Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby headlines a big day of racing that includes Race 11 and the $400,000 Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks for 3-year-old fillies -- a prep/points race for the Kentucky Oaks.

The Santa Anita Derby is Race 6 and has a post time of 5:43 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 8.

Santa Anita Derby Field and Odds

1. I Don't Get It (20/1)

Jockey: Miguel Gutierrez - Trainer: Doug O'Neill

2. Dazzlemesilver (50/1)

Jockey: Kent Desormeaux - Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

3. Geaux Rocket Ride (3/1)

Jockey: Flavien Prat - Trainer: Richard Mandella

4. One in Vermillion (50/1)

Jockey: Hector Berrios - Trainer: Eric Kruljac

5. Practical Move (8/5)

Jockey: Ramon Vazquez - Trainer: Tim Yakteen

6. National Treasure (3/1)

Jockey: John Velazquez - Trainer: Tim Yakteen

7. Skinner (4/1)

Jockey: Victor Espinoza - Trainer: John Shirreffs

8. Mandarin Hero (8/1)

Jockey: Kazushi Kimura - Trainer: Terunobu Fujita

9. Low Expectations (30/1)

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli - Trainer: A. Garcia

Santa Anita Picks

Practical Move won the 1 1/16 mile San Felipe Stakes on March 4 by unleashing a tremendous turn of foot and leaving his rivals in his wake to win by more than 2 lengths over co-favorites Geaux Rocket Ride and showhorse Skinner. A top-3 finish by Geaux Rocket Ride and Skinner will get them enough points to make the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field.

National Treasure scratched out of the San Felipe but returns here looking for a top-2 finish to get a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. National Treasure has top class but is coming off a pair of third-place finishes in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Sham Stakes during his last start in January.

Practical Move is already assured of a starting position in the Run for the Roses with 60 qualifying points. Skinner is a Kentucky-bred colt by the great Curlin. He's improved dramatically, finishing 3rd in the San Felipe despite a slow start with solid speed and a 103 ESF.

Geaux Rocket Ride posted a 104 ESF to finish 2nd in the San Felipe. He has stout breeding as a son of Candy Ride and is making just his third start at age 3. The Rocket has shown strong pace and speed figures in his two races and can win this with a pace-pressing trip.

Pick: Geaux Rocket Ride and Skinner

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.