Sunland Park Derby Explained

Class:Grade III
Horse Race:Sunland Park Derby
Location:Sunland Park Racetrack
Sunland Park, New Mexico, United States
Inaugurated:2003
Race Type:Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Distance: miles
Surface:Dirt
Track:left-handed
Qualification:Three-year-olds
Weight:Fillies: 117 lbs.
Colts & Geldings: 122 lbs
Purse:$400,000 (2023)

The Sunland Park Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Inaugurated in 2003, the race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the dirt and is sponsored by WinStar Farm of Versailles, Kentucky. Held in March, the Sunland Derby currently offers a purse of $400,000.

In its 11th year in 2013, it received Grade III status from the American Graded Stakes Committee for the first time in 2010.[1] It is listed as an official Kentucky Derby prep race.

The 2016 running of the Sunland Derby was cancelled due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus 1.[2]

The 2020 running & 2021 running of the Sunland Derby was cancelled due to an outbreak of COVID-19.

Records

Speed record:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTime
2024StrongholdAntonio FresuPhilip D’AmatoEric M. Waller & Sharon Waller1116 miles1:42.64
2023Wild On IceKen S. TohillJoel H. MarrFrank Sumpter Jr.118 miles1:51.39
2022Slow Down AndyMario GutierrezDoug O'NeillReddam Racing118 miles1:50.16
2021Not run due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
2020
2019Cutting HumorJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherStarlight Racing118 miles1:46.94
2018Runaway GhostTracy J. HebertTodd W. FincherJoe Peacock118 miles1:49.20
2017HenceAlfredo J. Juarez, Jr.Steven M. AsmussenCalumet Farm118 miles1:48:10
2016Not run due to an outbreak of Equine herpesvirus
2015Firing LineGary StevensSimon CallaghanArnold Zetcher118 miles1:47.39
2014ChituBob BaffertTanma Corporation118 miles1:47.88
2013Govenor CharlieMartin GarciaBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram118 miles1:47.54
2012Daddy Nose BestJulien LeparouxSteven M. AsmussenCathy Zollars & Robert Zollars118 miles1:48.59
2011Twice the AppealChristian S. ReyesJeff BondeEdward J. Brown Jr., Victor Flores & Henry Hernandez 118 miles1:50.91
2010EndorsementRobby AlbaradoShannon RitterWinStar Farm118 miles1:48.46
2009Kelly LeakMike E. SmithMike MachowskyBlahut Racing, Dennis Avila & Dave Johnson118 miles1:50.02
2008Liberty BullGerard MelanconTom AmossKenneth Maier118 miles1:49.82
2007Song of NavaroneVictor EspinozaHenry DominguezGeorge E. Coleman118 milesalign"center1:49.53
2006Wanna RunnerVictor EspinozaBob BaffertMichael E. Pegram118 miles1:48.88
2005Thor's EchoCorey NakataniDoug O'NeillSuarez Racing Stable118 miles1:49.59
2004Hi Teck ManRicardo JaimeJohnnie NallHassel Spraberry & Bonnie Spraberry1116 miles1:43.20
2003ExcessivepleasurePat DayDoug O'NeillLee Leatherman & Ty Leatherman1116 miles1:42.84

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54257/arkansas-derby-among-three-new-grade-i-stakes/ Two Fewer Graded Stakes in 2010
  2. Web site: Sunland Park cancels key Ky. Derby, Oaks preps. Lintner . Jonathan. 6 March 2016. www.courier-journal.com. The Courier-Journal. 6 March 2016.
  3. https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/239094/maryland-new-mexico-close-tracks-simulcast-facilities Maryland, New Mexico Close Tracks, Simulcast Facilities