2026 Santa Anita Derby Preview and Insights

The $500,000 Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby runs Saturday at Santa Anita Park. Post time is set for 7:46 p.m. ET, and FanDuel TV will broadcast the card.

This race awards 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner. It is the final major prep scheduled this weekend in New York, Kentucky, and California.

Historical perspective

The Santa Anita Derby has produced multiple Kentucky Derby winners. Ten horses have captured both races.

• Hill Gail (1952)
• Determine (1954)
• Swaps (1955)
• Lucky Debonair (1965)
• Majestic Prince (1969)
• Affirmed (1978)
• Winning Colors (1988), a filly
• Sunday Silence (1989)
• I’ll Have Another (2012)
• California Chrome (2014)

Field and stakes context

Seven three-year-olds enter this year’s renewal. Several carry significant Kentucky Derby points and upside.

This 2026 preview offers insights into form, speed figures, and tactical chances for each runner.

Key contenders

Cherokee Nation (5-2 morning line)

Trainer: Bob Baffert. Jockey: Florent Geroux. Ownership: syndicate group.

Career: 6 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds. Earnings: $86,605. Top Equibase: 103. Derby points: 3.

He won a mile maiden last out by 10 lengths at Santa Anita. That race produced a 103 Equibase and a 100 Beyer figure.

He previously struggled in graded stakes, finishing fifth twice. Baffert is the race’s all-time winningest trainer.

Potente (2-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffert. Jockey: Juan Hernandez. Owner: Speedway Stables.

Career: 2 starts, 2 wins. Earnings: $162,000. Top Equibase: 94. Derby points: 50.

Won the San Felipe Stakes by a head last out after a January maiden score at Santa Anita. Sire: Into Mischief.

He remains lightly raced but exits a stakes victory over this track and distance progression.

Vitruvian Man (15-1)

Trainer: Doug O’Neill. Jockey: Antonio Fresu. Owner: Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing.

Career: 5 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third. Earnings: $82,345. Top Equibase: 86. Derby points: 0.

He is a deep closer with a narrow maiden win at Keeneland three races ago. This will be his 3-year-old debut after a layoff.

O’Neill has won this Derby twice but this entrant must improve substantially in class.

Robusta (8-1)

Trainer: Doug O’Neill. Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo. Owner: Calumet Farm.

Career: 4 starts, 1 win, 1 second. Earnings: $83,000. Top Equibase: 93. Derby points: 25.

He nearly upset the San Felipe as a longshot, finishing a head behind Potente. Blinkers were added last time.

Earlier, he wired a mile maiden at Santa Anita over Cherokee Nation. He projects as tactical speed in the main pack.

So Happy (7-2)

Trainer: Mark Glatt. Jockey: Mike Smith. Owners: Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners.

Career: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 third. Earnings: $180,000. Top Equibase: 100. Derby points: 15.

He captured the Grade 2 San Vicente at seven furlongs in January. He faded in the San Felipe stretching to two turns.

His best scenario is controlling an uncontested pace. That looks unlikely with other pace-capable entrants.

Start the Ride (30-1)

Trainer: Dan Blacker. Jockey: Armando Ayuso. Owner: Harris Farms.

Career: 3 starts, 0 wins, 1 second. Earnings: $97,250. Top Equibase: 92. Derby points: 0.

He won the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby against state-bred rivals. He finished sixth in the San Felipe last out.

Beyer figures lag behind top rivals, but his Cal Cup form keeps him in the longshot mix.

Intrepido (7-2)

Trainer: Jeff Mullins. Jockey: Hector Berrios. Owners: Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures.

Career: 5 starts, 2 wins, 1 second. Earnings: $312,800. Top Equibase: 99. Derby points: 23.

He won the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes as a juvenile at Santa Anita. He finished second in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.

Mullins skipped the San Felipe with him and kept a steady March worktab. He remains a clear threat on form.

What to watch

Potente and Intrepido bring the clearest credentials for Derby points. Cherokee Nation and Robusta offer upside.

Speed figures and Santa Anita form will be decisive over 1 1/8 miles. Tactical speed could shape the pace scenario.

Filmogaz.com will provide race-day coverage and further analysis. Expect this result to influence the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for May 2 at Churchill Downs.