The Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit can establish himself as one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby when he leaves the starting gate in the West Coast's top Derby prep race, the 2021 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. A son of Protonico, Medina Spirit has two wins and two seconds in four career starts. He is coming off a second place finish in the San Felipe Stakes on March 6. For Saturday Medina Spirit is the 5-2 favorite in the 2021 Santa Anita Derby odds. The Peter Eurton-trained Dream Shake is getting 7-2 odds in the 10-horse 2021 Santa Anita Derby field.
Post time for the $750,000 race is 7:15 p.m. ET. With several lightly-raced horses ready to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to hear what horse racing guru Jody Demling has to say before making any 2021 Santa Anita Derby picks. With several lightly-raced horses ready to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what horse racing guru Jody Demling has to say before making any 2021 Santa Anita Derby picks.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling had a tremendous 2020 season. At one point last year he picked the winner of six consecutive races: the Saudi Cup, Gotham Stakes, Rebel Stakes, Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby and Belmont Stakes. Anyone who has followed him is up.
Now, Demling has handicapped the 2021 Santa Anita Derby lineup, made his picks and constructed his bets. You can only see his coveted picks here.
Top 2021 Santa Anita Derby predictions
Demling broke down the past performances and studied the pace scenario for the Santa Anita Derby and came away mostly against Rock Your World, even though he is one of the top contenders at 4-1. A $650,000 purchase two years ago, this John Sadler trainee is a perfect 2-for-2 in his young career. He has won his two starts by a combined four lengths.
But Saturday's race will be Rock Your World's first on dirt; he has previously raced only on grass. And not only does he have to navigate the surface switch, he has to do so against the top 3-year-old dirt horses on the West Coast. Demling has Rock Your World ranked outside the top five in this race.
However, Demling is high on Defunded at 4-1. This son of Dialed In has one win and one third in two career starts. He is coming off a 2½-length win at Santa Anita on March 6.
He will be making his first start beyond six furlongs, but his sire won the Florida Derby and dam sire won the Belmont Stakes, so he's bred to go this distance. "Add Mike Smith in the irons, and this one is dangerous," Demling told SportsLine. Demling has Defunded ranked in his top three and is using him in his 2021 Santa Anita Derby bets.
How to make 2021 Santa Anita Derby picks
Demling's top pick is a horse who "has a chance to take over as the Kentucky Derby favorite's role" this weekend. Demling also is high on a double-digit long shot who "has some upside." He is including these horses in all of his exactas, trifectas and superfectas, and so should you. He's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.
So who wins the Santa Anita Derby 2021? And which horse is a must-back? Check out the latest 2021 Santa Anita Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling's 2021 Santa Anita Derby picks, all from the expert who nailed six straight races in 2020.
2021 Santa Anita Derby odds, horses
| Program # | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roman Centurian | 8-1 |
| 2 | Dream Shake | 7-2 |
| 3 | Rock Your World | 4-1 |
| 4 | Parnelli | 20-1 |
| 5 | Back Ring Luck | 20-1 |
| 6 | Ottothelegend | 12-1 |
| 7 | Medina Spirit | 5-2 |
| 8 | Law Professor | 10-1 |
| 9 | The Great One | 8-1 |
| 10 | Defunded | 8-1 |
