Santa Anita Derby 2026: Start-time, Post Positions, Odds, Horses, TV, Stream

When is the Santa Anita Derby 2026, Date, Start-time, Post Positions, Odds, Horses, How to watch Preps for Kentucky Derby race

Trainer Bob Baffert’s hand for the Kentucky Derby is shaky at the moment, but he’ll have a chance to strengthen it Saturday at Santa Anita Park.

Baffert has two horses — Potente and Cherokee Nation — entered in the $500,000, Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

The race will offer 200 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs, with 100 going to the winner and 50 to the runner-up.

Potente currently has 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby and is the only Baffert-trained horse in the top 20, ranking 14th.

The Santa Anita Derby also will feature the second- and third-place horses from the San Felipe — Robusta and So Happy. Intrepido enters off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 7 at Santa Anita.

What Is Post Time Santa Anita Derby 2026?

Post time: 7:30 p.m. 


When Is Santa Anita Derby 2026?

Date, Saturday 4th April, 2026 


Where Is Santa Anita Derby 2026?

Location at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. 

What Is Prize Money, Purse Santa Anita Derby 2026?

Purse: $500,000. Grade: 1. 

How To Watch Santa Anita Derby 2026?

TV Broadcast: 

FS2 (Main Channel)

Streaming Options: 

FanDuel TV  

Peacock (may carry selected races)  

AqueductRacetrack.com / NYRA App (free live stream for some races)

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place.

Distance: 1 1/8 miles. Jockey weight: 124 pounds. 

2026 Santa Anita Derby post positions, field, jockeys, trainers, morning-line odds

1. Cherokee Nation, Florent Geroux, Bob Baffert, 5-2

2. Potente, Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert, 2-1

3. Vitruvian Man, Antonio Fresu, Doug O’Neill, 15-1

4. Robusta, Emisael Jaramillo, Doug O’Neill, 8-1

5. So Happy, Mike Smith, Mark Glatt, 7-2

6. Start the Ride, Armando Ayuso, Dan Blacker, 30-1

7. Intrepido, Hector Berrios, Jeff Mullins, 7-2 

_____