Meet the Contenders: 2025 Santa Anita Derby
Journalism, who exits a win over Barnes in the San Felipe, will make his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Santa Anita Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
April 1st, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita on April 5. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Click on each horse's name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!
TwinSpires Jury ep. #87 | Kentucky Derby & Oaks
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 3, 2025
Superfecta Preview Show
The Jury of @AshleyAnd502, @James_Scully111, & @atTheTrack7 cover the next leg of Road to @KentuckyDerby & Oaks races, including the Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, and Blue Grass. https://t.co/YRkeLLR081
Journalism wins the San Felipe at Santa Anita. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
#1 Journalism *****
Pro: A deserving current Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite after swift San Felipe (G2) win.
Con: The main concern is the possibility of a bounce off the big performance.
Citizen Bull winning the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#2 Citizen Bull *****
Pro: Breeders' Cup Juvenile champ untouchable last few starts; not wearing the target this time.,
Con: Has gotten away with easy leads but likely won’t get that luxury here.
TwinSpires
#3 Westwood *
Pro: Has shown gradual improvement, albeit against non winners.
Con: Maiden is biting off more than he can chew against this stellar field.
Barnes wins the San Vicente S. at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#4 Barnes ***
Pro: Hyped earlier in the season, and respectable second in the San Felipe.
Con: Didn’t quite see out 1 1/16 miles, could face increased pressure from Citizen Bull.
Beaza wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
#5 Baeza ***
Pro: Half to Derby winner Mage and Belmont (G1) winner Dornoch, and graduated impressively.
Con: Remains with a lot of upside but others appear classier at this point.
