Multiple-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill offer a pair of prospects each in Saturday’s Grade 1 $500,000 Santa Anita Derby as they look to solidify potential returns to the first Saturday in May. Meanwhile, the top-3 finishers in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes are set for a re-match at The Great Race Place, while the Grade 1 American Pharoah winner awaits.
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Let’s meet the contenders for the Santa Anita Derby (Race 10):
#1-CHEROKEE NATION: While it took 6 starts to break his maiden, the Feb. 27 romp by this $1.1 million Not This Time colt may have been worth the wait. It took the Kentucky Jockey Club and Robert B. Lewis Stakes fifth-place finisher into another speed stratosphere for Bob Baffert, who is poised for a record-padding tenth Santa Anita Derby title – a race he’s shockingly not won since 2019. Florent Geroux will ride for the first time.
#2-POTENTE: Baffert’s second of two Santa Anita Derby shots Saturday, Potente upset the San Felipe at 8-1 odds to increase his record to 2-for-2 lifetime. His pair of scores have come by less than 1 length in combined margin, showing a nose for the wire and an ability to win on the lead and from off the pace. The $2.4 million Into Mischief colt once again will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.
#3-VIRTRUVIAN MAN: First start of 2026 and first stakes bid for this Kentucky transplant who raced at all 5 of that state’s Thoroughbred venues during his freshman campaign. Doug O’Neill trains the Vino Rosso colt who has a Keeneland maiden victory topping his ledger. Antonio Fresu rides as O’Neill seeks a third Santa Anita Derby title.
#4-ROBUSTA: Doug O’Neill’s more-fancied chance to follow the Santa Anita Derby success of I’ll Have Another (2012) and Goldencents (2013), Robusta exits a narrow, runner-up finish in the San Fan Felipe. Assuredly will be the shortest price of his career after 67-1, 36-1, 24-1 and 70-1 offerings in his 4 prior starts, which include a Jan. 9 maiden score. Home-bred son of Accelerate for Calumet Farms will be ridden by regular pilot Emisael Jaramillo, who also guided Cherokee Nation to his maiden win last out.
#5-SO HAPPY: San Vicente Stakes winner captured his first 2 sprints but couldn’t sustain his speed in the 1-1/16 miles San Felipe when finishing third. The Mark Glatt trainee has a pedigree made for Churchill Downs if he can find the stamina to get there; he’s grandson to Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Breeders’ Cup Classic-at-CD winner Blame. Mike Smith has ridden in each start.
#6-START THE RIDE: Rallying Cal Cup Derby winner Jan. 17 at Santa Anita never got involved when a well-beaten sixth in the San Felipe. The Dan Blacker trainee was 26-1 that day and will need a big move forward under regular rider Armando Ayuso to turn the tables. Upstart colt will hope for a fast pace to help his late interest.
#7-INTREPIDO (pictured, #2 outside): Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes winner over the Santa Anita surface at age 2, this Jeff Mullins trainee looks for a signature score at 3. His lone start this year was a narrow runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February and was put away by design to be freshened for the Santa Anita Derby. Maximus Mischief colt leads the field with $312,800. Mullins looks for his first SA Derby trophy since securing 3 straight from 2003-’05 (Buddy Gil, Castledale, Buzzard’s Bay).
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