The most important horse race to bet this weekend is the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, April 9! The race offers a $750,000 purse as well as 100-40-30-20-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points. This means not only big money, but big Kentucky Derby stakes: the winner assures his trip to the Run for the Roses, the second-place finisher probably does as well, and even the third- through fifth-place finishers are in a good spot if they ran well in other preps.
The Santa Anita Derby has a strong historical importance. Ten winners of the race have gone on to win the blanket of roses. This includes Triple Crown winners Justify (2018) and Affirmed. In addition to Justify, two others since 2010 have also won both the Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby, California Chrome (2014) and I’ll Have Another (2012).
Who will add their name to this illustrious list in 2023? Keep reading to find out, and to see the best places to bet the Santa Anita Derby online.
Santa Anita Derby Field
This is the official field for the 2023 Santa Anita Derby including draw numbers, trainers, jockeys, and morning lines:
- I Don’t Get It (Doug O’Neill/Mario Gutierrez) - 20/1
- Dazzlemesilver (Keith Desormeaux/Kent Desormeaux) - 50/1
- Geaux Rocket Ride (Richard Mandella/Flavien Prat) - 3/1
- One in Vermillion (Eric Kruljac/Hector Berrios) - 50/1
- Practical Move (Tim Yakteen/Ramon Vazquez) - 8/5
- National Treasure (Tim Yakteen/John Velazquez) - 3/1
- Skinner (John Shirreffs/Victor Espinoza) - 4/1
- Mandarin Hero (Terunobu Fujita/Kazushi Kimura) - 8/1
- Low Expectations (Antonio Garcia/Umberto Rispoli) - 30/1
Before you bet the Santa Anita Derby, however, make sure you have created an account at an online sportsbook. Betting online ensures you the best odds. As the race gets closer sportsbooks will publish their odds, and you can go ahead and lock in your price at the moment you bet. That way, you can make sure that your price will not go down if there is late action on your choice.
These are the odds at the top of the market for the Santa Anita Derby. Keep following them as the race draws closer, and place your bet when you are getting an overlay on a horse who can win the race! Then, you can just enjoy the confidence and peace of mind in having the best price.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Move | +260 | +260 | +260 |
| National Treasure | +400 | +400 | +400 |
| Geaux Rocket Ride | +400 | +400 | +400 |
| Skinner | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Mandarin Hero | +900 | +900 | +900 |
Santa Anita Derby Online Betting
Choosing the best online sportsbook for betting the Santa Anita Derby can seem tough because of all the options. However, our experts are here to make your decision quick and confident! All of our suggested sportsbooks have the basics of a great wagering experience: market-leading odds, trusted money management, and smooth user interfaces.
Our expert insight also helps you find the sportsbooks with the best bonuses and incentives for your wagering style! From sign-up and deposit bonuses to horse racing rebates and referral incentives, each site benefits different bettors the most. Take a few minutes now to find the one that fits you best, and make hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars for your bankroll!
Santa Anita Derby Handicapping
Now that you have your betting account set up, it is time to get to know the field for the race! Here are the most interesting betting horses in the 2023 Santa Anita Derby:
Santa Anita Derby Favorites
The most appealing horse to bet to win in the Santa Anita Derby is Geaux Rocket Ride. Though he was beaten by Practical Move in the San Felipe (G2) last out, it was only Geaux Rocket Ride’s second start and he has a good chance to move forward in his third start (and second route try) for Richard Mandella. He is particularly appealing since he showed last out that he was versatile enough to run well without making the lead.
The aforementioned Practical Move, who will almost certainly go off favored, is the other legitimate win candidate in the Santa Anita Derby. Since stretching past a mile he has come into his own, with wins in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and San Felipe. He keeps jockey Ramon Vazquez from those two starts, and should be ready for another strong race second off the lay.
Santa Anita Derby Longshots
National Treasure has yet to find the winners’ circle since his debut last September, but he has hit the board in three points races since. He has to prove he has bounced back from the sore foot that kept him out of a planned start in the San Felipe, but he has been working frequently since then. He is tactical and consistent enough to figure for yet another share underneath.
Two others to consider are Mandarin Hero and Low Expectations. Mandarin Hero gets a class rise from minor stakes in Japan, but he has tried 1 ⅛ miles, he comes second off the lay, and even class-rising shippers from Japan have made waves internationally: yes, he comes from the NAR circuit, but so did Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine!
Low Expectations also makes his second start at 1 ⅛ miles, and won’t have to track as taxing a pace this time than last out in the Sunland Park Derby (G3).
Free Santa Anita Derby Picks
You have your betting account, and you know the field. Now, all you have left to do is the best part of all: placing your bets! These are your free expert bets for the 2023 Santa Anita Derby:
- $20 to win - #3 Geaux Rocket Ride
- $1 exacta key - #3 Geaux Rocket Ride with #5 Practical Move and #6 National Treasure
- $0.50 trifecta key - #3 Geaux Rocket Ride with #5 Practical Move, #6 National Treasure, and #8 Mandarin Hero
- $0.20 superfecta key - #3 Geaux Rocket Ride with #5 Practical Move, #6 National Treasure, #8 Mandarin Hero, and #9 Low Expectations
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