Santa anita derby kentucky derby preparatory race

Stakes - Grade I For Thoroughbred Three Year Old One And One Eighth Miles On The Dirt

Purse: $750,000

The Santa Anita Derby is considered the most important 3-year old race in the West. While some trainers based there, notably Neil Drysdale and Bobby Frankel, prefer the Wood Memorial or Blue Grass for their final Kentucky Derby preps, the vast majority of West Coast contenders tend to stay put.

The Santa Anita Derby has a rich history as an important prep race for the Derby, which leads to the Triple Crown big event for thoroughbred horse racing. It has yielded Derby winners such as Silver Charm, Sunday Silence, and Winning Colors plus Triple Crown winner Affirmed.

With a total purse of US$750,000, the Santa Anita Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three year old thoroughbred horses, run at a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt. The Santa Anita Derby stands out with the third highest number of winners - at a total of 14 - who have made it to the Kentucky Derby.