The Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby has always been a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Usually run in early April, this race was instrumental in helping to set the 20-horse field for the annual "Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
This year's coronavirus health crisis has turned everything upside down. Key races like the Santa Anita Derby had to be rescheduled to later in the year. The 2020 Kentucky Derby will now take place on September 5. The Triple Crown racing series will start on Saturday, June 20 with the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York. The Preakness Stakes will be run a month after the Kentucky Derby on Oct. 3.
As far as Saturday's Santa Anita Derby, the field has been set with seven entries on the board. The favorite at 4/5 on the morning line is trainer Bob Baffert's Authentic. This three-year old Kentucky-bred colt is undefeated through three previous starts. The son of Into Mischief started the year with a victory in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes. He went on to win the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 7. Both of those preps were run at Santa Anita. With jockey Drayden Van Dyke aboard, Authentic will start from the No. 7 gate.
Going chalk with the favorite, my place horse in this race would be Honors AP at 9/5 followed by Shooters Shoot in the show position at 8/1 odds. If you are looking for a horse at longer odds to work into the mix, Baffert's other entry Azul Coast would be a good choice at 15/1 on the morning line.
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