2023 Santa Anita Derby morning-line odds, picks, post time: Racing reporter offers best bets for Saturday's Kentucky Derby prep race

Practical Move can cement his status as one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby when he takes on eight other challengers in the 2023 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. Trained by Tim Yakteen, Practical Move has three wins, one second and two thirds in six career starts. For Saturday, Practical Move is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the Santa Anita Derby odds. National Treasure and Geaux Rocket Ride are tied for second in the odds, at 3-1, in the nine-horse Santa Anita Derby field. Post time for the $750,000 Kentucky Derby prep race is 5:30 p.m. ET. 

With several lightly raced 3-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what astute racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu has to say before making any 2023 Santa Anita Derby picks.

Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.

Since joining SportsLine in November 2021, her picks have cashed in the 2021 and 2022 Breeders' Cup Classics, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, among other races. In February, she crushed the Saudi Cup, riding a 15-1 winner to an $840 score, and two weeks ago she nailed the UAE Derby for $185. Anyone who has followed her is WAY UP.

Now, Yu has handicapped the 2023 Santa Anita Derby field, given her horse-by-horse analysis, made her picks and constructed her wagers.

One surprise: Yu is high on the chances of the Japan-based Mandarin Hero, who is an 8-1 longshot. "The Japanese have dominated the best racing in the world, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him show up on Saturday," Yu told SportsLine. Yu is using Mandarin Hero prominently in her wagers.

Moreover, Yu's top choice is a horse who "has done all the right things." She also is high on a double-digit longshot who "has upside." She is including these horses in her 2023 Santa Anita Derby bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see her picks before locking in any of your own.

So which horse wins the Santa Anita Derby 2023? And which double-digit longshot is a must-back? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Michelle Yu's 2023 Santa Anita Derby horse-by-horse analysis and picks, all from the insider who crushed February's Saudi Cup and the UAE Derby two weeks ago!