A tremendous day of racing is on tap Saturday at Santa Anita, highlighted by five graded stakes races including the G1 Santa Anita Derby and G1 Santa Anita Handicap. There would appear to be solid favorites in each of the graded stakes races and they’re likely to be rather short prices. Below are horses worth considering either as alternatives to use against the favorite or underneath in exotic wagers. RACE 3 – SANTA ANITA OAKS BELLAFINA (5) seems like a very likely winner of this year’s Oaks and CHASING YESTERDAY (2) has her own credentials that make her formidable. If you’re looking to take a shot against either of those two or look to try to split the favorites in exactas, consider FLOR DE LA MAR (1). Flor de La Mar was very impressive breaking her maiden at first asking back on January 20 before returning to disappoint in her first start against winners, finishing fifth at odds of 3-5. I’m hopeful that poor performance had more to do with the sloppy-sealed surface than anything else, and perhaps she can rebound Saturday on the biggest stage. RACE 5 – ROYAL HEROINE There’s really nothing to knock about VASILIKA (1), the 3-5 morning-line favorite who is likely to go off even shorter once the gates break. She’s been rock solid since being claimed by Jerry Hollendorfer and has rattled off 10 victories in her last 11 races; in other words, she’s going to be tough to beat. Perhaps MS BAD BEHAVIOR (2) can shake loose in this field and make Vasilika’s backers sweat a bit, as it doesn’t seem as though there’s much speed signed on and Ms Bad Behavior ran better than it looks last out in the Buena Vista, given the fact that she was closest to a hot pace before being run down. :: Add Santa Anita Clocker Reports to your handicapping arsenal RACE 8 – SANTA ANITA DERBY All eyes will be on the 2018 champion two-year-old GAME WINNER (6), as he looks to rebound after a loss in his seasonal debut at Oaklawn a few weeks back. There are other formidable and talented runners in this year’s Derby, but the one I’m most interested in (for Saturday) is the “other” Baffert, ROADSTER (1). I thought his return effort in the N1X on March 1 was scintillating, and if he can successfully navigate the nine furlongs, he’ll be tough. (I’m interested in NOLO CONTESTO (3) going forward as a three-year-old, but I wonder if Saturday’s spot will prove too much for him.) RACE 9 – PROVIDENCIA This race feels like a bit of a scramble. None of the fillies have run particularly fast to this point, and your favorite could wind up in the 3-1 or 7-2 range when it’s all said and done. My tepid “selection” is MAXIM RATE (7), who should be a playable price in a spot like this. If you’re looking for an even better price, consider HOSTESS (8), making her first start in North America and trained by Simon Callaghan. RACE 10 – SANTA ANITA HANDICAP I have little faith in the two favorites and their ability going ten furlongs. MCKINZIE (1) and GIFT BOX (4) are the most talented horses in the field, but this distance is uncharted territory for each of them, and given their short prices, I’m inclined to fade them. CAMPAIGN (6) is likely a better turf horse than dirt horse, but I know this distance won’t be an issue for him. If the pace heats up early, he should be rolling from off the pace for John Sadler. I’ll gsive him the nod here to upset the Santa Anita Handicap.