2025 Santa Anita Derby

Jan 8

Written By m w

The 2025 Santa Anita Derby: Blood, Money, and Madness in the San Gabriel Mountains

Arcadia, California—April 5, 2025. It's a warm spring afternoon in the heart of Santa Anita Park, the legendary racetrack nestled in the shadow of the San Gabriel Mountains, a setting that looks like it came straight out of a surreal dream—or nightmare, depending on how you’re wired. The place hums with tension, the air thick with that peculiar blend of sweat, adrenaline, and desperation. Everyone knows what’s at stake here: the Santa Anita Derby, a race that promises not just riches and glory but the bitter taste of disappointment for all but one horse. Only the truly great—or the downright lucky—will survive this blood-soaked marathon and march on to the Kentucky Derby.

There are few events in horse racing that carry the same weight, the same electricity, as the Santa Anita Derby. This isn’t some well-mannered East Coast affair where the rich wear bow ties and talk about their stocks. No. This is the wild West, the place where the stakes are as high as the California sky, and the thunderous gallop of a thoroughbred carries with it a promise of doom and glory.

This year’s edition promises to be a carnage-filled spectacle, where jockeys will be pushed to their limits, and where horses will be tested not just by their speed and stamina but by the sheer madness of it all. We’re talking about a race that could make or break careers, a race that could send ripples of shockwaves through the world of horse racing for months—if not years—after the dust settles. And I’m here to break it down, not with cold logic or corporate stats, but with the raw, unfiltered truth. The Santa Anita Derby is a place where heroes rise, and others fall into oblivion faster than a broken betting slip.

Let’s look at the contenders. They come from all walks of life, from high-dollar breeding operations to unsung underdogs who’ve fought their way up from the dregs of the racing world. Some will win, some will lose, and some will disappear into the night, never to be seen again. It’s a story of hope, delusion, and the bitter taste of failure.

1. Devil’s Backbone

The moment you lay eyes on Devil’s Backbone, you know you’re dealing with something special. The bloodlines are impeccable, the speed is undeniable, and the jockey? Well, if the man can hold onto the reins long enough, this horse is going places. This horse has been tearing up prep races left and right, a force of nature that no one seems capable of containing. Watching him stride around the track is like watching a predator on the hunt—he’s got that killer instinct, that gleam in his eye that says, “Don’t bet against me.”

But there’s a catch. Devil’s Backbone isn’t just any other racehorse. He’s got that same dark, dangerous vibe you’d find in a death metal album, a certain brooding intensity that makes you wonder if he’s here to win or if he’s just looking for a fight. There’s something wild about him—something untamed. And if there’s one thing that’s true about Santa Anita, it’s that it has a way of shattering the best-laid plans.

Devil’s Backbone has been good in his prep races, but the Santa Anita Derby is no mere stepping stone. The pressure will be intense, and if this horse has any chinks in his armor, they’re going to show. He’ll have to deal with the insatiable thirst for victory that drives the rest of the field—something that can either push him to greatness or leave him floundering at the finish line. He’s got the speed, the bloodlines, and the temperament to pull this off—but will he crack under the pressure? Or will he burn them all alive, crossing the line with devastating dominance?

2. Midnight Masquerade

In the twisted world of horse racing, sometimes the quiet ones are the most dangerous. Midnight Masquerade is that horse—low profile, but with a quiet storm of talent just waiting to be unleashed. You might not hear his name screamed from the stands or see his face plastered across billboards, but trust me, this horse can run.

He’s been steadily improving through the ranks, hitting all the right marks and staying in the top spots in the prep races. Midnight Masquerade doesn’t have the high-dollar hype or the big-name owner, but that’s exactly why he’s one to watch. Sometimes the most dangerous horses are the ones who aren’t getting all the media attention. There’s a quiet rebellion in the way this horse moves, like he’s just waiting for the right moment to silence all the doubters.

But let’s be clear: the Santa Anita Derby is no place for shy players. It’s one thing to finish well in a few prep races, but this track is where legends are made. Midnight Masquerade has the grit to fight it out, but does he have the ferocity? He’s got a serious shot if he can hold his composure and make the right move when it counts. If he hits his stride, the others might just be eating his dust by the final turn.

3. Call of the Wild

Now we get to the horse that’s been causing a stir in the paddocks for months: Call of the Wild. There’s a certain reckless abandon to this horse that screams, “I’ll do whatever it takes to win, even if it destroys me.” Call of the Wild isn’t here to make friends or play it safe. He’s here to tear the place apart, and if the other horses don’t watch out, they’ll be on the wrong end of a disaster.

If you like your horses untamed and a little wild-eyed, this is the one you want to follow. Call of the Wild is no stranger to controversy—he’s a horse with a history of disruptive behavior, and that can either fuel his adrenaline or lead to a disastrous breakdown. There’s something almost animalistic about the way he charges around the track, like he’s fighting not just for victory but for something deeper, something darker.

But the big question is whether this chaos can be controlled. The Santa Anita Derby doesn’t reward tantrums or temperamental horses; it rewards precision, discipline, and focus. Call of the Wild has all the tools—he just needs to stay mentally sharp long enough to get through the gauntlet. His unpredictability could work to his advantage, or it could make him self-destruct before the final furlong.

4. Highballer’s Dream

Highballer’s Dream is everything you hate about the wealthy side of horse racing and everything you love about it at the same time. You’ve got the pristine breeding, the perfectly manicured coat, and the kind of aristocratic attitude that will have you rolling your eyes within five minutes of meeting him. He’s got all the right connections, the best trainers, and the kind of track record that makes you think he might just have everything handed to him on a silver platter.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking that means he’s guaranteed a victory. The Santa Anita Derby doesn’t care about your pedigree or your flashy connections. It’s a race that levels the playing field for everyone, and sometimes the horses with the most polished looks are the ones that crumble when the real pressure hits. Highballer’s Dream will show up looking like a million bucks, but once the gates open and the chaos sets in, it’s anyone’s game.

There’s a lot riding on this horse—not just for his owners, but for everyone who’s ever believed that breeding and money could buy success. Highballer’s Dream needs to prove that he can overcome all of that weight and deliver when it matters. A beautiful horse, no doubt, but will that beauty translate to victory? We’ll see.

5. West Coast Fury

Let’s talk about the underdog in this field—the horse who’s been under the radar but has been quietly knocking out respectable performances. West Coast Fury doesn’t have the glitzy background or the flashy pedigree that some of the other horses have, but that’s what makes him dangerous. He’s the type of horse that sneaks up on you when you’re not paying attention, quietly slipping through the cracks and making his move at the right moment.

There’s something gritty about West Coast Fury. He doesn’t have the refinement or the polished finish that others might, but he’s got heart—and in a race like this, that’s what matters most. There’s a raw determination that propels this horse, and it could very well take him all the way to the front of the pack by the final furlong. Watch for him to make a move in the backstretch, when the others are tiring and he’s still pushing forward with reckless abandon. If West Coast Fury can find a way to break the field’s rhythm, he could very well surprise everyone and snatch victory from the jaws of the more glamorous contenders.

m w