Santa Anita Derby A West Coast Showdown Between Veteran, Neophyte

By Margaret Ransom

A field of seven sophomores, including a well-regarded seasoned veteran in Bolt D’Oro and a highly touted new shooter in Justify — both considered to be legitimate Kentucky Derby (GI) contenders — will head postward in the 82nd running of the Santa Anita Derby (GI) on Saturday, the final Kentucky Derby prep held at the Great Race Place in California.

In addition to proving he belongs among the best headed to Louisville, recent allowance winner Justify is pursing the 100 points the winner will receive for a Santa Anita Derby victory as he has yet to earn a single point to start, while grade 1 winner Bolt D’Oro, who is currently sitting fourth with 64, will actually make the gat, all things being equal, so adding points any is just icing on his already rose-covered cake.

The nine-furlong test, which has been carded as Saturday’s 9th race, will go off at 3:30 PT due to the first-race post time being moved up to 11:30 a.m. PT to accommodate the day’s 13-race card. This year rain is forecasted again, but hopefully it won’t start falling until at least post time or after. At least that’s what the weathermen and weatherladies are saying.

In 2014, two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome won… (more)