Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Oaks lead big Saturday card
At 2h02, on April 1, 2024 • By Santa Anita
Santa Anita gets its turn in the national spotlight this Saturday with a blockbuster card highlighted by the GI, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby and GII, $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks.
Among the leading contenders expected for this year’s Santa Anita Derby are Maymun and Imagination for trainer Bob Baffert and Stronghold for trainer Phil D’Amato.
Top contenders for the 85th Santa Anita Oaks, contested at 1 1/16 miles, are Kinza for Baffert and Kopion for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. Kinza most recently improved to 3-for-3 when taking the GIII Santa Ysabel at 1 1/16 miles here March 9.
Kopion hasn’t started since being beaten two lengths by Kinza in the one-mile GIII Las Virgenes here Feb. 10. The Omaha Beach filly previously won the GIII Santa Ynez at seven furlongs here Jan. 7.
