2013 Santa Anita Derby

Dave Bond | OTB Writer

Las Vegas, NV - The Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby goes down this Saturday, April 6 from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A rich purse of $750,000 will be on the line as will 170 total points toward qualification into the Kentucky Derby in May for three year olds willing to go 1 1/8 miles on Santa Anita's main track.

The Santa Anita Derby has attracted a field of nine Derby hopefuls for race 9 on Santa Anita's Saturday schedule. Post time is 4:40 PM. Here is a brief glance at the credentials of all nine combatants for this most important "Road to the Kentucky Derby" Grade 1 points gathering stakes.

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2013 Santa Anita Derby Race Favorites

Flashback - Bob Baffert colt has been impressive in three career starts - a Maiden Special Weight score by 3 1/2 lengths as favorite at Hollywood Park December 8 was followed by a terrific win in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis February 2 by 6 1/4 lengths on this track. Last time out was a close second to Hear The Ghost in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes here March 9. He starts from the rail but is the morning line favorite for the Santa Anita Derby based on his near comeback win last time out over...

Hear The Ghost - has three career starts for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer - a good second two back in the San Pedro Stakes here January 21 was followed by a terrific score last time out in the Grade 2 San Felipe by half a length over names like Goldencents and Flashback. He starts from post 2 and is the second choice on the morning line.

Santa Anita Derby 2013 | Remaining Field Entries

Power Broker - Bob Baffert trained colt hasn't raced since a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile after an impressive score in the Grade 1 FrontRunner Stakes by 6 1/2 lengths here September 29 and a good second in the Oak Tree Juvenile September 5. He started his career with a fourth and a third but needs a good performance to get into the Derby conversation. He is the third choice on the morning line just ahead of...

Goldencents - has five career starts - the first was a Maiden Special Weight score by 7 1/4 lengths at Del Mar September 2 and the second was a second place finish to highly touted Shanghai Bobby in the Grade 1 Foxwoods Champaign at Belmont Park October 6. He had an impressive victory in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes over Den's Legacy here January 5 after another win in the $1 million Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot over Bern Identity November 17 at Delta Downs in gate-to-wire fashion. Last time out was a disappointing fourth in the Grade 2 San Felipe here March 9 after fading. Trainer Doug O'Neil could have a Derby contender in Goldencents - he will be out to avenge a poor outing last time out and put his name firmly on the map this weekend.

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

Super Ninety Nine - is coming off a disappointing fifth as favorite in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park March 16 after a very impressive 11 1/4 length wire-to-wire win in the Grade 3 Southwest Derby in a race he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 102. Before that was an Allowance score by 3 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita January 31 and a good second in the Grade 3 Hollywood Prevue Stakes behind stablemate Really Mr. Greeley November 22. The Bob Baffert colt will be looking to get back in the forefront of the Kentucky Derby conversation after his worst career performance last time out. He has 10 points in the standings - anything other than a win or a second will likely keep him out of the Kentucky Derby.

Tiz a Minister - has 10 career starts already with two wins, four seconds and two third place finishes. He is coming off a very good third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes behind Hear The Ghost and Flashback and a nice win in the California Breeders' Champion Stakes - his best ever result. He has 10 points so far on The Road to the Kentucky Derby and will need a win or a second at very least to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Storm Fighter - Bruce Headley trained colt has three starts - all MSW races at Santa Anita. He had a win last time out March 2 after a second and a fourth respectively.

Summer Exclusive - Peter Miller trained colt has just one career start - a MSW score here March 2.

Dirty Swagg - half-brother of Love Theway Youare has eight career starts with just one win (five back at Del Mar) and a third place finish - that coming in the Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park in November. Dirty Swagg was fifth last time out in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes here January 5 after a seventh in the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity.