Creative Cause Heavy Chalk in Deep Santa Anita Derby Field
The Mike Harrington trained Creative Cause is the 6/5 morning line betting favorite for Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park, and a strong effort can send the son of Giant’s Causeway to Louisville as the favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 5.
The colt has won four of his seven starts and is coming off a career best winning the San Vicente (G2) on March 10 in a very impressive effort.
Leading rider Joel Rosario has the return call on the colt, who will race without blinkers for the first time on Saturday.
While the colt is going to end up a short price, there is no shortage of talent among the nine foes that will line up against him.
Among those with the best shot of beating the betting favorite are Robert B. Lewis (G3) winner I’ll Have Another and CashCall Futurity (G1) victor Liaison, who has not run back to that effort in two starts this year.
Liaison will be sent out by hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert, who is recovering from a heart attack he suffered in Dubai on March 25. The trainer will also start recent maiden winner Paynter and longshot Blueskiesnrainbows, who was third in a first level optional claimer in his last outing.
Along with the Wood Memorial (G1) from Aqueduct, the race will be televised live on NBC as part of a 90-minute program that gets underway at 4:30 ET.
The eleven race card gets started at 12:00 PT, and the Santa Anita Derby is supported by the $150,000 Providencia (G3), $150,000 Potrero Grande (G3), and the $75,000 American Beauty.
Complete Morning Line Odds for Santa Anita Derby
1. Creative Cause 6/5
2. Liaison 8/1
3. Holy Candy 8/1
4. I’ll Have Another 5/2
5. Longview Drive 12/1
6. Paynter 12/1
7. Senor Rain 15/1
8. Midnight Transfer 10/1
9. Blueskiesnrainbows 20/1
10. Brother Francis 20/1
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