Santa Anita Derby 2016: TV Schedule, Post Positions, Odds, Contenders and More
The Santa Anita Derby starts on Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, with a berth to the Kentucky Derby on the line for whoever jaunts to the winner's circle after nine furlongs on the venerated dirt track.
A Hall of Fame tandem featuring jockey Gary Stevens and trainer Bob Baffert are the strong connections on Mor Spirit's side. The horse was installed during Wednesday's post position reveal as the 8-5 morning-line favorite to win from the No. 4 post.
But at least one formidable challenger figures to give Mor Spirit a run for his money. Mike Smith will mount Danzing Candy, who's been installed as the second favorite with 9-5 odds.
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Read on for the full post position breakdown, along with a preview of a race that will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network as part of coverage that begins at 6 p.m. ET, per AllHorseRacing.ag.
| 1 | Denman's Call | Rafael Bejarano | Doug O'Neill | 15-1 |
| 2 | Exaggerator | Kent Desormeaux | J. Keith Desormeaux | 4-1 |
| 3 | Danzing Candy | Mike Smith | Clifford Sise Jr. | 9-5 |
| 4 | Mor Spirit | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | 8-5 |
| 5 | Smokey Image | Victor Espinoza | Carla Gaines | 15-1 |
| 6 | Iron Rob | Stewart Elliott | George Papaprodromou | 12-1 |
| 7 | Dressed in Hermes | Flavien Prat | Janet Armstrong | 15-1 |
| 8 | Rare Candy | Joseph Talamo | David E. Hofmans | 30-1 |
| 9 | Diplodocus | Tyler Baze | Richard Baltas | 30-1 |
| 10 | Uncle Lino | Fernando Perez | Gary Sherlock | 20-1 |
2016 Santa Anita Derby Preview, Predicted Winner
It's easy to see why Mor Spirit and Danzing Candy are the heavy favorites. Seeing both of them finish outside of the money would certainly be quite a shock.
In the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park last month, Danzing Candy got the better of Mor Spirit at the finish. Given that recent history at the venue, Saturday's impending showdown is all the more captivating.
But one reason Mor Spirit should be getting an edge is his starting position. Per SantaAnita.com, 14 Santa Anita Derby champions have begun from the No. 4 post, which is the most of all time. The third slot has been kind as well, but it has produced only five winners—less than half of the magic fourth spot's total.
SA Press Box logged the reaction of Danzing Candy trainer Cliff Sise, who wasn't exactly in love with his starting position:
Baffert believes deeply in Stevens' knack for figuring out what his horse does well, which is why he's expressed confidence he'll bounce back after a runner-up finish in his last start, per the Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman, via ESPN.com:
"Gary's a horseman. He still rides a smart race. He's good out of the gate. His style fits my horses. He figures out a horse's style quickly. He's a student of the game. He always has his horses in the right spot. And he knows if something went wrong, he can tweak it himself. I don't have to tell him. He can ride a horse one time and say, 'He doesn't want to run that way.'
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Privman also noted the raging success both Baffert and Stevens have had individually—and as a team—in this particular race:
The No. 5 post position is the next-winningest spot with nine victories, which may be a prime candidate for a value bet in 15-1 contender Smokey Image.
Reigning Triple Crown champion jockey Victor Espinoza will be aboard, and he won the 2014 Santa Anita Derby with California Chrome. The 43-year-old jockey gives his horse an excellent chance based on his talents alone.
Third favorite Exaggerator is probably closer to the rail than he'd like. However, he's a worthy bet based on the fact that he ran second in the San Vicente Stakes and was third in the aforementioned San Felipe—both at Santa Anita.
Among the other relative long shots, Dressed in Hermes is worth consideration to finish in the top three. He won the Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita in March and has Flavien Prat in the irons.
Prat is a wonderful comeback story, after he suffered a collapsed lung and five broken vertebrae in a nasty spill back in September.
Smith was actually aboard Dressed in Hermes for his prior victory, but Prat is fully capable of getting the job done as well.
The favorites are simply too strong in this one, though. Look for Stevens to fulfill Baffert's assessment of him, make the proper adjustments and help Mor Spirit exact vengeance on Danzing Candy for their last duel at Santa Anita.
Note: Racing results courtesy of HorseRacingNation.com.
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