Santa Anita Derby 2015: TV Schedule, Post Positions, Odds, Contenders and More

As a critical stakes pit stop on the path to the Kentucky Derby, the Santa Anita Derby often produces legends in the sport as horses and jockeys gain serious momentum. 

Recall last year, when California Chrome breezed past the rest of the field and went on to great things. 

This year, a star-studded cast takes on the small list of competitors, with names such as Mike Smith, Bob Baffert and others involved in the showdown.

As the headline act of six critical stakes races totaling a $1 million purse, the Santa Anita Derby isn't something to miss. Below is a look at the field, viewing info and contenders.

Where: Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, Calif.

When: Saturday, April 4

Post Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC Sports Network

Santa Anita Derby

Post	Horse	Odds
1	Dortmund	3-5
2	One Lucky Dane	5-1
3	Cross the Line	15-1
4	Bolo	4-1
5	Prospect Park	7-2
6	Bad Read Sanchez	30-1

Post positions and odds via FoxSports.com.

Contenders to Watch

Bolo

It's never wise to bet against the aforementioned Smith.

Saturday, he will ride Bolo, a three-year-old colt out of Kentucky who won two out of his first three starts on grass, including last December's Eddie Logan Stakes.

Then Bolo ran into Dortmund at the San Felipe Stakes in March and finished third.

For Smith, Saturday is a chance to score some semblance of revenge on Dortmund, as he told HorseRacingNation.com:

"

We’re sure hoping so. He had a slight tendency to get tired the other day. He made a beautiful run, looked like he was going to be a big part of it, but he just got tired. He missed close to three weeks of training in between the Eddie Logan and the San Felipe, so he definitely had a license to need that race and it should move him forward, but you just hope it moves him forward enough.

"

As one of the most promising three-year-old contenders with an actual shot at the Kentucky Derby, Bolo is a name to watch Saturday in a small field.

As Smith notes, Bolo isn't as anxious at the gates as he used to be, so better composure this time around should make things more competitive.

One Lucky Dane

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Baffert has two major Kentucky Derby contenders in the stables for the Santa Anita Derby.

Folks know the name Dortmund but may not be so familiar with One Lucky Dane.

Coming off a strong win in March, One Lucky Dane seems to have the momentum and experience on the track in California to give the race a serious shot.

For Baffert, who also has American Pharoah (taking part in the Arkansas Derby) as a serious Kentucky Derby contender, the Santa Anita Derby is a bit of a strategic placement for One Lucky Dane after he also considered the Coolmore Lexington Stakes on April 11.

"It would be too soon to ship out, and if he runs well here, it gives us time to recuperate [before the first Saturday in May]," Baffert said, per Jonathan Lintner of The Courier-Journal. "He likes this track and he runs well here."

Baffert isn't one to throw his horses to the proverbial wolves if they aren't ready, so look for One Lucky Dane to give his stablemate and the rest of the field a serious push Saturday evening.

Dortmund

Uncredited/Associated Press

There doesn't seem to be any stopping Dortmund at this point.

Baffert's crown jewel this season won the San Felipe Stakes and Robert B. Lewis Stakes with ease. The son of Big Brown figures to have no issues Saturday, hence Santa Anita oddsmaker Jon White projecting favorable odds before post positions were nailed down, as captured by The Sports Network (via The Sun Herald):

"

Based on the current projected field, I'll be making Dortmund a short price on the morning line, probably 4-5 or 3-5. Not only is Dortmund unbeaten in five starts, he has been odds-on in his last four races. He was 4-5 in a 10-horse field when he won the San Felipe and defeated Prospect Park and Bolo. In view of that, I'd say it's a virtual certainty Dortmund will be bet down to odds-on favoritism in the Santa Anita Derby.

"

Dortmund's current trajectory feels like California Chrome's last year.

While not as dominant, a bit of a weak field at the marquee event pairs well with two recent wins to craft a favorite fans won't want to overlook.

Dortmund ranks No. 1 in Gary West's power rankings at ESPN for good reason, as even his practice runs with moderate encouragement post sound times. When the gates open Saturday evening, the encouragement will be anything but moderate.