Since 2013, it has been part of the official Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering the winner 100 points and thus assuring a position in the starting gate.
[3] Since its inception, ten Santa Anita Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby (shown in bold in the Winners section below), plus seven horses who lost at Santa Anita went on to triumph in Kentucky.
Santa Anita Derby winners have also been successful in other Triple Crown races, with Affirmed sweeping the series in 1978.
The race has been contested on Cushion Track (2008) and Pro-Ride (2009 & 2010) artificial surfaces.
The Sham, Robert Lewis and San Felipe are also on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.