Santa Anita Derby stakes are high with million-dollar purse

SANTA ANITA, Calif. (FOX 11) - 'More Spirit' and 'Danzing Candy' are favored in this years Santa Anita Derby, which is the biggest race of the year in California with a million dollar purse. It's the precursor to the Kentucky Derby.

Rain or shine the horses will make that mile and an eighth journey - to race to the finish line. But rain could switch up some strategy and change things for these horses who don't see a lot of wet and muddy tracks.

Trainer Gary Sherlock for long shot Uncle Lino says, "My horse does well in muddy conditions, so fine by me if it rains."

Carla Gaines is trying to become the second female trainer to win the race, she says, "I'm very excited, as for being female, I'm just trying to do what everyone else is doing, get to the (Kentucky) Derby."

She hoping her horse 'Smokey Image' will have a good finish.

Tickets to watch the races are still available starting at 5-dollars, the first race starts at 12:00p.m. Saturday.

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